Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday withdrew his controversial statements wherein he claimed that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi met underworld don Karim Lala in Mumbai."If someone feels my statement hurt Indira Gandhi's image, or someone's feelings, I take it back,'' Raut said. "In the past, I have taken her(Gandhi's) side and argued with people who tried to malign her image. In such cases, some Congress leaders had remained silent." the Rajya Sabha member said.
At the Lokmat journalism awards in Pune, Sanjay Raut claimed that there was a time when Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Shakeel, Sharad Shetty would decide who will be Mumbai's police commissioner and who will sit in Mantralaya (state secretariat). When Haji Mastan came to Mantralaya, the entire secretariat would come down to see him. Indira Gandhi used to meet Karim Lala in Pydhonie (in south Mumbai)." The remarks did not go well with Congress leaders.
Indira ji was a true patriot who never compromised on India’s national security. As former INC Mumbai President, I demand that Sanjay Raut Ji withdraw his ill-informed statements.Political leaders must show restraint before distorting the legacies of deceased Prime Ministers. "It would be better if Mr. Poet of Shiv Sena continues reciting light-hearted poetry of others to entertain Maharashtra. If he propagates against former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, he will have to repent," tweeted another Maharashtra Congress leader, Sanjay Nirupam.