NAGPUR: MPCC president Nana Patole blamed Vinayak Damodar Savarkar for “starting Hindu-Muslim dispute”. “When Savarkar returned after apologizing (to the British), he created a Hindu-Muslim controversy in the country. He propounded the theory of binationalism, which led to Partition,” Patole said on Monday.
The Sakoli MLA further said, “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first home minister, had said the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi was killed because Savarkar created a toxic atmosphere in the country.”
Patole told TOI that he had made the statement on Savarkar in Mumbai and clarified that Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) had different views on this. “Rahul Gandhi and Uddhav Thackeray will discuss the Savarkar issue. Congress party’s stance is clear from the beginning. Our opponents are trying to split Maha Vikas Aghadi over the issue, but they will not succeed,” he said.
Emphasizing that Congress has never compromised with its ideology, Patole said they did not hate any religion or person, but advocate interfaith equality. “We walk along with people from all castes. All MVA constituents — Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP — would unitedly fight against BJP to save democracy and Constitution. BJP and Modi government have no answers to burning questions of people. It is why they are running away from responsibility by raising issues like Savarkar,” he said.