Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut expressed disapproval of US President Donald Trump’s congratulatory message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the West Bengal Assembly election results. Raut emphasized that these elections are internal to India’s federal democracy and external endorsements are premature. He urged Trump to consider democratic values more carefully before making such statements.
Raut, in his capacity as a Member of Parliament, highlighted the importance of ensuring free, fair, and credible elections beyond mere electoral outcomes. He questioned whether serious concerns such as fear, intimidation, and biased institutional functioning were taken into account before Trump’s congratulatory remarks. Raut also pointed out allegations of partiality by the Election Commission and the coercive deployment of central forces during the elections.
The Shiv Sena leader noted that senior figures like Mamata Banerjee have raised doubts about the election process’s fairness, indicating broader unease that cannot be overlooked. Previously, Trump had praised Modi for his election victory, with a White House spokesman describing it as historic and decisive. However, Shiv Sena has raised apprehensions about the BJP’s election strategies and their impact on democracy.
The editorial in the party’s mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ criticized the BJP’s approach to state elections, particularly in Assam and West Bengal, suggesting a pattern of election manipulation. It highlighted the BJP’s success in Tamil Nadu through strategic alliances and vote division, leading to a change in power dynamics. The editorial raised concerns about the BJP’s methods in achieving electoral victories across multiple states, questioning the fairness and transparency of the processes involved.
