Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday said the Opposition would oppose the proposed Delimitation Bill in its current form but could reconsider its stand if the Centre accepts amendments suggested by Opposition parties.
Speaking to reporters in Nagpur ahead of the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s ‘Ram Raksha Andolan’ scheduled for July 18, Raut said the Opposition INDIA bloc would take a collective decision once the legislation is formally introduced in Parliament.
The Centre is expected to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, beginning July 20. The proposed legislation seeks to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha to 850 seats and initiate a fresh delimitation exercise.
Raut responds to Supriya Sule’s remarks
Raut’s comments came a day after NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule said there would be “little reason to oppose” the Delimitation Bill if it provides for a uniform 50 per cent increase in parliamentary seats across all states. She had, however, clarified that any decision would be taken only after discussions within the INDIA bloc.
Responding to her remarks, Raut said no final decision had been taken as the bill had not yet been introduced.
“When the bill does come, we will all sit down and decide, and a collective decision will be taken about what to do.”
He added that the Opposition would oppose the proposed legislation but remained open to reviewing its position if the government incorporated amendments suggested by Opposition parties.
Ram Raksha Andolan and Fadnavis’ remarks
Raut also responded to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ criticism of the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s proposed ‘Ram Raksha Andolan’. Fadnavis had earlier remarked that staging such a protest without knowledge of the Ram Raksha hymn was inappropriate.
Rejecting the criticism, Raut said the central issue was the alleged embezzlement of donations collected at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
“Whether we want to recite Ram Raksha, how we want to recite, we will look at that…do not tell us that. The question for you (Fadnavis) is – a theft occurred at the Ram Temple and a donation box of Rs 550 crore was stolen. In the last 12 years, nearly Rs 13,000 crore have been looted, do you accept that or not?” he asked.
“They don’t answer these questions. Whether we know Ram Raksha or not, we will show it to you. But can you speak about your people who were involved in the theft at the Ram Temple?” Raut questioned.
He added that the party had invited Fadnavis to attend the protest because it was being organised close to the Chief Minister’s residence in Nagpur.
“We will also invite RSS office-bearers and other Hindutvawadi organisations,” Raut said.
Raut dismisses speculation over Opposition unity
Asked about reports of NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil’s meeting with Chief Minister Fadnavis and speculation about the party joining the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, Raut dismissed the claims.
According to Raut, Patil had met the Chief Minister regarding issues related to his constituency and there was no political significance attached to the meeting.
He also alleged that rumours about divisions within the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (SP) were being spread to divert attention from key public issues.
Raut added that he had spoken with Supriya Sule and said she would clarify her remarks during a press conference later in the day.
Expresses concern over Sonam Wangchuk’s health
During the interaction, Raut also expressed concern over the health of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
“His health is deteriorating, and it should be an issue of grave concern for everyone,” he said.
Wangchuk joined the ongoing protest on June 28 and has remained on an indefinite fast while pressing for his demands. His health has recently become the subject of judicial attention, with the Delhi High Court directing authorities to conduct daily medical monitoring during the course of his hunger strike.
(With inputs from PTI)
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