BJP spokesperson says Sanjay Raut needs treatment at Singapore mental hospital

MUMBAI, Sep 21 : BJP spokesperson Navnath Ban on Monday launched a sharp attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP and chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut, alleging that he needs treatment at a mental hospital in Singapore and offering to collect donations for the purpose.

Speaking to media persons in Mumbai, Ban claimed that Raut suffers from “brain damage” and said he was willing to personally collect funds for his treatment.

Ban's remarks came after Raut criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier in the day. Raut questioned the Prime Minister's conduct in the Lok Sabha and called Fadnavis and other leaders “clowns”.

Raut's comments followed Fadnavis's remarks on Sunday in which he said that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi should quit politics and become a “stand-up comedian”.

Continuing his attack on Raut, Ban alleged that the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader had previously worked for Sharad Pawar and was now working for Rahul Gandhi. He also accused Raut of attempting to weaken the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.

Ban further criticised Raut's political remarks, comparing them to a “comedy circus” and questioning his standing within Maharashtra politics.

He also defended Fadnavis, saying that the people of Maharashtra had chosen him as Chief Minister after assessing his political record. Ban claimed that Fadnavis would remain Chief Minister until 2029 and return to power thereafter.

Taking aim at Uddhav Thackeray, Ban said that Thackeray had become Chief Minister only once and alleged that it happened after his party broke ties with the BJP.

Ban also questioned the future political strategy of the Shiv Sena (UBT), referring to possible alliances involving Raj Thackeray, the Congress, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and other parties.

The remarks by the BJP spokesperson come amid an escalating war of words between the BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT), with leaders from both sides trading personal and political attacks.