‘Rahul Gandhi Is a National Leader and Modi, Shah Will Have to Sit Opposite Him in Parliament’: Sanjay Raut Hits Out at BJP, ABVP in Pune
Pune, 22nd August 2026: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP over Rahul Gandhi’s Pune visit, alleging that the ruling party was “afraid” of the Congress leader and was using the administration to create hurdles for his programme.
Reacting to the 30 conditions reportedly imposed by Pune Police for Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event, Raut questioned why such restrictions were being placed on the Leader of Opposition.
“Rahul Gandhi is a leader of this country. If the ABVP does not accept him, or if Modi and Shah do not accept him, they should mentally prepare themselves for the future when they will have to sit in the Opposition benches facing Rahul Gandhi in Parliament,” Raut said.
Questioning the police restrictions, he asked whether Rahul Gandhi was a foreign national and whether similar conditions were imposed when Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Pune.
Raut alleged that the BJP government was “scared” of Rahul Gandhi and that the restrictions reflected growing anxiety within the ruling establishment.
“The sand has slipped from under the feet of the BJP’s machinery and power. This is a frightened government. The BJP is afraid of Rahul Gandhi,” he said, adding that he expected the government’s “downfall” to begin after September 17.
Raut also criticised the confrontation between ABVP and NSUI workers at the COEP Technological University campus ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s event, alleging that ABVP was engaging in “hooliganism”.
“If anyone tries to disrupt Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme, it is terrorism. Pune Police should take strict action against them. Rahul Gandhi is the Leader of the Opposition,” Raut said.
Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s protest at the Parliament Street police station on Friday over the alleged use of pellet guns against student protesters at Jantar Mantar, Raut claimed that the government had “bowed before” him after an FIR was sought against an unidentified person.
Raut also hit out at the BJP over the ‘Vande Mataram’ controversy, saying the party had no exclusive claim over the national song and alleging that the police had used force against students who were singing ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Jana Gana Mana’ during a protest.
He further warned BJP workers in Pune against relying on political power to intimidate opponents, claiming that the party’s “hooliganism” would end once it lost power.
