Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut questioned Barack Obama’s knowledge of India. (Archive)
Mumbai:
Responding to comments on Rahul Gandhi made by former US President Barack Obama in his memoir “A Promised Land”, Shiv Sena’s leader, Sanjay Raut, questioned Barack Obama’s knowledge of India and said that a foreign politician cannot give such views on Indian political leaders.
“A foreign politician cannot give such opinions about Indian political leaders. The subsequent domestic political speech on Obama’s comment on the leader of Congress is disgusting. We will not say ‘Trump is crazy.’ How much does Obama know about this nation?” Said Sanjay Raut.
The former US president wrote in his memoirs that Rahul Gandhi was “eager to impress” but “lacked the aptitude or passion” to master the subject, according to a review of the book published in the New York Times.
The comment sparked a dispute in India with Congress defending its leader.
“Obama and Rahul Gandhi must have met briefly, probably 8-10 years ago when he came to India as president of the United States. Assessing someone in few meetings is difficult. Rahul Gandhi’s personality has changed since then, he has gained a lot experience, “said Congressional Leader Tariq Anwar.
The Shiv Sena, Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party are in a coalition government in Maharashtra. The alliance, called Maha Vikas Aghadi, recently completed a year in office. Sanjay Raut said that the government led by Uddhav Thackeray will strengthen the state in the next four years.
“Last year at the same time we were about to form the government in Maharashtra. Back then, no one imagined that a Shiv Sena leader would become the prime minister here. In the last year, we have faced challenges in terms of climatic adversity and the COVID-19 pandemic. We have been patient and have acted with caution, “said Raut.
“In the next four years, our aim is to form a credible link with the 11 million million citizens of Maharashtra. I advise the opposition parties in the state to work for the welfare of the public and help us build a strong state in the next few years, “said the Shiv Sena leader.
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