Sena questions Modi’s silence over Lakhimpur violence

The Shiv Sena also hit out at the Uttar Pradesh government for sealing Lakhimpur Kheri district’s borders to prevent opposition leaders from going there

Two days after eight people, including four farmers, were killed in the violence that erupted during protests in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh (UP), the Shiv Sena on Tuesday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence over the issue.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut called the developments in Lakhimpur Kheri an ‘undeclared emergency’ and asked if the UP government was scared of Priyanka Gandhi. (HT Photo/Deepak Gupta)

Shiv Sena’s chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at the latter’s residence in New Delhi over the Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Before meeting Gandhi, Raut said there is a need for a “joint Opposition action against the oppression by the government in UP.” This is Raut’s second one-on-one meeting with Gandhi in around three months. The meeting between the two leaders lasted around 20 minutes. Raut refused to divulge the details of the discussion between him and Gandhi.

Afte the meeting, Raut said, “We discussed the political developments in the country. Let things remain between us and our two parties.”

Taking on the Centre, Raut questioned if there are any democratic values left in the nation.

An editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana remarked that PM is a “very sensitive and emotional person” but it was “surprising” that he has not expressed condolences to the family of the victims of the violence.

“Our dear PM Narendra Modi is a very sensitive and emotional person. There have been many occasions when PM was seen getting emotional over the issues of the poor. It is surprising that the sensitive Modi has not expressed his condolences to the farmers who were crushed to death in the incident,” the editorial said.

The editorial also slammed the UP government over sealing the district borders and not allowing Opposition leaders to enter Lakhimpur Kheri.

Earlier in the day, Raut called the development in the past two days as an “undeclared emergency”, asking why is the UP government scared if Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Gandhi or other Opposition leaders want to meet the families of the dead farmers.

“The manner in which Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the granddaughter of Indira Gandhi, was arrested and manhandled is shameful. You may have differences with the Congress but Indira Gandhi gave the biggest sacrifice [for the country], she divided Pakistan in two parts. This incident needs to be condemned. There is an undeclared emergency in the country now. It has come silently to muzzle our voices,” Raut said while speaking to mediapersons in the national capital.

Drawing parallels to BJP leaders in Maharashtra touring flood-affected parts to “wipe the tears” of the affected farmers, Raut asked why is UP government scared if Opposition party leaders want to meet families of the dead farmers.

“In Maharashtra, BJP leaders Devendra Fadnavis and Pravin Darekar are wiping tears of farmers and giving ultimatum to the state government. In a democracy, the voice of Opposition party cannot be suppressed. They must get a chance to speak what they wish to and it must be heard. But what’s happening in UP? If Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rahul Gandhi, (Samajadwadi Party’s) Akhilesh Yadav and Aam Aadmi Party’s Sanjay Singh are going to meet family members of the dead farmers why is the government scared?” he asked.

The state BJP had not reacted to the remarks in Saamana or on Raut’s statements till the time of going to press.