Shiv Sena Leader Urges Congress Reunification to Counter BJP's Politics

Shiv Sena Uddhav Thackeray faction leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday said that the Congress is not a sinking ship and leaders who left the Congress in the past should come together again and strengthen the party. Sanjay Raut appealed to Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar to take the initiative in this direction, saying that everyone has to come together to counter the "perverted politics" of the BJP. Sanjay Raut's remarks came a day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the Congress as a sinking ship and said that no sane person would board it (Congress). Speaking to reporters here, Raut said, "If we really want to fight against the perverted politics of the BJP, everyone has to unite. The Congress party should become strong. All leaders who left the Congress should come together first. If senior leader Sharad Pawar takes the initiative, it is possible. We are a regional party and we will stand with you." Earlier this week, too, Raut said that the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which were once part of the Congress, should come together again.