'Democracy, freedom do not exist now, politics has become poisonous': Sanjay Raut

Mumbai: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday claimed Maharashtra's political atmosphere has become polluted where many people are out to "destroy" each other. Raut said he realised this again after coming out of jail on November 9. The Rajya Sabha member was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case on August 1 this year and granted bail by a court in Mumbai on November 9.

On Sunday, he resumed his weekly column Rokhthok in 'Saamana', the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena faction's mouthpiece of which he is the executive editor.

The Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra collapsed in June this year following a rebellion led by Sena leader Eknath Shinde, who later became the chief minister with the BJP's support.

"There is a feeling of hatred and politicians have now reached a stage where they don't want their opponents even to be alive. Maharashtra's political atmosphere has become polluted where people are out to destroy each other," Raut claimed.

"When I was asked about (Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader) Devendra Fadnavis's comment that bitterness in politics has to end, I replied that he is speaking the truth and media started saying I have toned down," the Sena leader said.

"Democracy and freedom do not exist now, these are merely names now. Politics has become poisonous. It was not so during the British rule," Raut claimed.

Today's rulers in Delhi want to hear what they wish. Those who don't do that are considered enemies, he further claimed.

"China, Pakistan are not Delhi's enemies, but those who speak the truth and are straight are treated as enemies and such political leaders lower the country's stature," he added.