NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi assured the opposition leaders that he will “respect” the sentiments of allies, after the Shiv Sena lashed out at his “I am not Savarkar” remark and NCP chief Sharad Pawar flagged it as a contentious issue at the dinner meeting of opposition leaders on Monday, reports Subodh Ghildiyal.
The assurance came after the Sena protested against Rahul targeting Savarkar, with former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray calling the Hindutva proponent an idol for his organisation. Rahul has consistently accused Savarkar of cowardice, saying that he had apologised to the British to secure his freedom. “I am a Gandhi,” he asserted on Saturday after his disqualification.

MVA on mind, Rahul may tone down Savarkar criticism
After Shiv Sena objected to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Savarkar and skipped Monday’s dinner meeting called by Congress, NCP chief Sharad Pawar is learned to have held a separate meeting with Sonia Gandhi, though it may have been about larger opposition issues.
In the wake of Sena boycotting the meeting hosted by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, sources said Pawar raised the matter and explained in detail the life and issues of Savarkar. He is learned to have said that Savarkar was never a member of RSS and his views were extreme but also in contrast to RSS – for example on the “use” of cow, which was contrary to RSS belief that it is a “holy animal”.
The subject, also reportedly touched upon by a couple of other leaders, elicited an answer from Rahul. The former MP is said to have noted that he was convinced that Savarkar had indeed apologised to the British, but added that in alliance, sentiments and emotions of partners should be respected. He added that he will keep that in mind in future.
While arguing that Savarkar is respected by some people in Maharashtra, Pawar said Savarkar’s Hindu Mahasabha just won a seat once in elections, questioning why should he be brought to focus. He also said that referring to Savarkar in such harsh tones would only hurt the cohesion of the alliance and serve no purpose in the fight against rival BJP.
Rahul’s acknowledgement of Sena’s sentiments appears to have thawed the brief friction between the allies. AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said, “We will sort it out among ourselves.” AICC spokesman Jairam Ramesh said: “I told you 18 parties participated in the meeting (Monday) while there were 19 today. It means Sena was also there.”
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut met Rahul for a discussion on Tuesday. Raut later said there should be no confusion about who the opposition is fighting – Modi or Savarkar, and that the opposition is united that the Savarkar issue should not be raked up.