Resolve internal conflicts within Oppn bloc MVA, why comment on West Asia war? BJP to Raut

MUMBAI: (Mar 2) The ruling BJP on Monday took potshots at Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut over his comments on the raging conflict in West Asia and advised him to focus on preventing a split in votes within the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) during the ensuing Rajya Sabha polls.

The last date of filing nominations for the March 16 Rajya Sabha polls is March 5. All three MVA allies in Maharashtra - Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and NCP (SP) - are staking claim for the lone seat which they can win due to their depleted numbers in the state assembly which is the electoral college for the polls.

Talking to reporters here, state BJP media coordinator Navnath Ban said it was "ridiculous" for Raut to advise Prime Minister Narendra Modi on how to mediate in the ongoing war in West Asia, triggered by US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, when he was unable to resolve internal conflicts within the MVA.