Following Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi’s comment that he was a “Hindu nationalist”, BJP’s alliance partner Shiv Sena has hailed him as the right choice to lead the NDA.
Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that his party believes that the nation’s leadership should be in the hands of a Hindutva leader. “We welcome Mr Modi’s stand. It was our strong belief from the time of Balasaheb Thackarey that the nation’s leadership should be in the hands of a Hindutva leader. Mr Modi’s stand will benefit the NDA,” Mr Raut said.
Adding that Hindutva was “another name of nationalism”, Mr Raut said that the proponents of Hindutva are not against any religion. The Sena spokesperson said that Mr Modi’s remarks were praiseworthy as it was considered an “offence” earlier to proclaim oneself a Hindu till late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackarey declared himself a Hindu unapologetically.
Accusing the Congress of practising the politics of appeasement of minorities, Mr Raut said that the leadership of the country should always be with the “neglected” Hindus.