Sanjay Raut Slams BJP Over Badgujar’s Induction, Calls It “Anti-National”

By A Staff Reporter

Pune: In a blistering political attack, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of being “anti-national,” following the induction of Sudhakar Badgujar — a former Shiv Sena (UBT) member — into the BJP’s ranks. Raut, speaking to reporters in Pune, said the BJP had abandoned its ideological legacy and was now driven by business interests and political opportunism.

“BJP is an anti-national party. Nationalism and patriotism are just an eyewash for them,” Raut said. “This is not the party of Atal Bihari Vajpayee or LK Advani anymore. It now belongs to businessmen and power brokers.”

Referring directly to Sudhakar Badgujar’s defection, Raut expressed outrage at the BJP’s apparent contradiction. “They inducted a person they themselves had once accused of treason. Yesterday, they welcomed him with open arms. So now, who is anti-national? Not our party, but yours,” he asserted.

Raut’s comments are the latest in a string of fiery exchanges between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the BJP, particularly in Maharashtra, where defections and political realignments have intensified ahead of upcoming electoral battles. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has accused the BJP of using investigative agencies and political pressure to fracture opposition parties while simultaneously embracing individuals it had previously vilified.

“This is pure hypocrisy,” Raut added. “The BJP lectures the country on nationalism but doesn’t hesitate to induct people with questionable pasts when it suits their agenda.”