Never said Sharad Pawar should replace Sonia as UPA chairperson: Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday claimed he never said that Congress chief Sonia Gandhi should be replaced by NCP president Sharad Pawar as the UPA chairperson and added that he had only underscored the need to strengthen the allianceHe said that all the opposition parties need to come together to form a strong alliance at the national levelHis remarks come in the wake of Maharashtra Congress leaders criticising him for his suggestion that Pawar should take over as United Progressive Alliance UPA chairpersonI have never said Sonia Gandhi should be replaced by Sharad Pawar as UPA chairperson There is a need to strengthen the UPA for the sake of the country I just said there is a need to strengthen the opposition alliance I havent criticised Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi Raut saidInfact I have stood up for them whenever they were targeted by the political rivals he told a television channel when asked about the Congress leaders criticism over his recent remarksOn being asked about his accidental home minister comment against Anil Deshmukh Raut said Something happening by accident is a phrase One always sees an opportunity in an accidentTo a question on Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawars remarks that nobody should play spoilsport in a coalition government the Rajya Sabha member said People have played spoilsport by taking oath early morningHe was referring to Ajit Pawars early morning swearingin with Devendra Fadnavis before the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi MVA government after the 2019 Assembly polls Fadnavis and Pawar had taken oath as the chief minister and deputy chief minister respectively However their government had lasted for only 80 hoursReplying to a question whether the Shiv Sena would join the UPA or go back to the National Democratic Alliance NDA Raut said his party does not play politics of convenienceOur alliance with Congress and NCP here was need of the hour since we felt we were cheated by the BJP he saidRaut hit out at Maharashtra Governor B S Koshyari for taking no decision on nominating 12 members from his quota to the state legislative councilThe governor doesnt want the MVA to increase its strength in the Legislative Council He feels the government will not last But the MVA is strong and will last its full term he saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever