Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut’s sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opened a new confrontation between the opposition bloc and the BJP, with the ruling party accusing him of insulting both the Prime Minister and Gujarat.
Raut, speaking to reporters in Pune on Saturday, used the term “aghori” while attacking Modi and said he had not seen such a figure in politics. He also claimed Modi’s political persona created fear, extending the criticism by linking the Prime Minister’s Gujarat origins to the historical figure of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
The BJP responded swiftly, saying the remarks reflected the opposition’s frustration and crossed the limits of political criticism. Party leaders argued that Raut’s comments were not merely a personal attack on Modi but also an affront to Gujarat, where Modi served as chief minister before becoming Prime Minister in 2014.
The exchange has added another flashpoint to Maharashtra’s already charged political landscape, where Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, has intensified its attacks on the BJP and the rival Shiv Sena faction headed by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Raut, a Rajya Sabha member and one of the most visible voices of the Thackeray camp, has frequently used combative language against the BJP, particularly since the 2022 split in the Shiv Sena.
The controversy comes at a time when opposition parties are attempting to sharpen their national messaging against Modi and the BJP, while the ruling party has sought to frame such attacks as evidence of personal hostility rather than substantive political criticism. BJP leaders said the opposition had failed to challenge the government on governance and was instead resorting to abusive language.
Raut’s comments also drew attention because of the reference to Aurangzeb, a historical figure often invoked in Maharashtra’s political debates. The Mughal ruler remains central to disputes over history, identity and regional memory, particularly because of his long military campaigns in the Deccan and his conflict with the Maratha empire. The BJP has repeatedly accused opposition leaders of using historical references selectively, while opposition parties say the ruling side uses history to polarise voters.
The Shiv Sena has not distanced itself from Raut’s remarks. Party leaders have generally defended their attacks on Modi as legitimate criticism of the Prime Minister’s politics and governance style. Raut has maintained that the BJP routinely targets opposition leaders and should not claim victimhood when faced with harsh criticism.
The BJP’s counterattack focused on the language used by Raut, with party functionaries saying the remark lowered public discourse. They argued that criticism of government policy was acceptable but personal references to the Prime Minister’s character and birthplace were unacceptable. The party also sought to link the episode to a broader pattern of opposition attacks on Modi.
The row may help both sides mobilise their respective support bases. For the BJP, the remarks offer an opportunity to portray Modi as a target of opposition abuse and to consolidate sympathy among supporters. For Shiv Sena, the confrontation keeps its anti-BJP posture visible and reinforces Raut’s role as one of the party’s most aggressive national speakers.
Maharashtra remains central to the political stakes. The BJP, Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP are working to preserve their alliance arithmetic, while the opposition grouping of Shiv Sena, Congress and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction is trying to maintain unity after years of defections and organisational disruption.
Raut has also used the same interaction to stress the need for opposition coordination, arguing that a strong Congress remains necessary to challenge the BJP. His comments came amid continuing debate within the opposition over leadership, seat-sharing and the durability of the INDIA bloc at the national level.
The BJP is expected to continue using the episode to attack the Thackeray camp and question its political tone. The party has repeatedly accused Shiv Sena of abandoning the ideological legacy of Bal Thackeray after aligning with Congress and Sharad Pawar’s party. Thackeray’s supporters reject that charge, saying the BJP engineered the split in the Shiv Sena and weakened regional parties for electoral gain.
