Party has nothing to with book comparing Modi and Shivaji: BJP

Mumbai: The BJP on Monday, January 13 distanced itself from a book, which has drawn flak from the opposition for comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji in the book titled ‘Aaj Ke Shivaji: Narendra Modi,’ saying the party has nothing do with its publication and it represents the author’s personal opinion.

BJP national media co-head Sanjay Mayukh told reporters that the book’s author Jay Bhagwan Goyal, who is a saffron party member, has also expressed his willingness to withdraw those parts of the book which a section of society has found objectionable.

Goyal told PTI that he was willing to revise those parts of the book to which opposition leaders have objected.

“I only wanted to tell readers as to how Modi like Shivaji has worked to take everyone along and also been successful in doing what many considered impossible. If it has hurt sentiments of some people, I am willing to revise those parts of the book,” he said.

The book has drawn fire from opposition parties in Maharashtra. The NCP and the Sambhaji Brigade held protests in Pune on Monday against the book outside the Lalmahal area here.

While NCP leader Prashant Jagtap condemned the comparison and said it was a move to “erase the glorious history” of the Maratha emperor, Sambhaji Brigade functionary Santosh Shinde said the book should be withdrawn in 48 hours, failing which more agitations would follow.

“Today, the comparison is with Shivaji Maharaj. Tomorrow, in Rajasthan, it might be with Maharana Pratap. It is part of the BJP-RSS agenda to erase the history of great icons,” Jagtap alleged.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut demanded that it be banned and asked the warrior king’s descendants to clarify their stand over the issue.