12 August,2023 09:31 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sanjay Raut. Pic/PTI
Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Friday recorded in a court in Mumbai his statement in connection with a defamation case filed by him against Union minister and BJP leader Narayan Rane for allegedly making false remarks, reported news agency PTI.
Sanjay Raut had filed a suit against Narayan Rane in April for allegedly making "defamatory, malicious and false" remarks about him at the Konkan Festival organised in suburban Bhandup on January 15, 2023, reported PTI.
The BJP leader had allegedly said Sanjay Raut's name did not exist in the voters' list and that he (Rane) had helped the latter get elected to the Rajya Sabha when he was in the Shiv Sena.
In February, Sanjay Raut had issued a legal notice to Rane demanding evidence to substantiate his claims.
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The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader moved a local court after the Union minister didn't respond to his legal notice.
Sanjay Raut appeared before the magistrate's court in suburban Mulund and recorded his verification statement in the case.
The matter was adjourned by the court to September 29 for examination of witnesses.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Raut on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's criticism of the Congress during his reply to the no-confidence motion shows the grand old party is growing stronger.
PM Modi on Thursday spoke for more than 130 minutes in the Lok Sabha in a reply to the debate on the no-confidence brought by opposition parties. The Congress later hit out at the PM, saying he is gripped with a "Congress-phobia" and that is why he criticised the party throughout his speech.
Talking to reporters, Raut said, "The Congress is still in the heart and brain of the prime minister even though he has won two elections (as a PM). Under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, the Congress party has put up a challenge and the party is growing."
Referring to Modi, he said, "You are in power for 10 years...forget the Congress and speak about your work."
Raut said the no-confidence motion was moved to make the prime minister come to Parliament and give a statement on the Manipur issue and what the government is doing to restore peace there.
(With inputs from PTI)
