Mumbai, January 16: Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut's latest comments on Indira Gandhi sparked outrage and several Congress leaders have condemned the statement. His comments referred to the bonhomie between politicians and criminals during the Indira Gandhi regime. However, Raut clarified on Thursday that his comments were being distorted and he has great respect for Indira Gandhi.

He said, "Kareem Lala was the leader of the Pathan community, he led an organisation called 'Pakhtun-e-Hind'. It was in this capacity of the leader of Pathan community that he met several top leaders including Indira Gandhi However, those who do not the history of Mumbai, are twisting my statement." Indira Gandhi Met Gangster Karim Lala in Mumbai, Says Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut.

In another tweet, he said, "I have never shied away from praising Indira Gandhi as an iron lady who took decisions with an iron fist. Surprisingly those who do not know the history of Indiraji are shouting on top of the voice."

At a programme at Pune on Wednesday, Raut said, "There was a time when Chhota Shakeel, Dawood Ibrahim, Sharad Shetty used to decide who would be police commissioner of Mumbai and who would sit in Mantralaya. Indira Gandhi used to go and meet Karim Lala in South Mumbai. We've seen that underworld, now it's just 'chillar'"

Check Sanjay Raut's tweet here:

Commenting on Raut's statement where he spoke about the closeness with politicians, Devendra Fadnavis, BJP said, "Senior leaders of Congress must answer the people, association with criminals because of whom attacks have happened in Mumbai, I think there is nothing more defaming than this, Congress must clarify."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 16, 2020 12:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).