PM changed speech timing so that BJP members could watch cricket: Sanjay Raut

Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP and chief party spokesperson Sanjay Raut said here on Monday that the time of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national address, on Sunday, was advanced from 8 pm to 5 pm to enable BJP members to watch the India versus Pakistan cricket match on Sunday.

Speaking to media persons in Mumbai, Sanjay Raut said PM Modi’s “usual time” to address the nation is 8 pm, calling it his “standard time to mislead people”. “The prime minister addressed the nation at 5 pm, which surprised everyone, because his usual time to do it is 8 pm. That is his standard time to mislead people. So, why 5 pm this time? People are saying that there was an India-Pakistan cricket match yesterday (Sunday) and BJP workers wanted to watch it without any disturbance from the prime minister’s address,” he said.

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“Apparently BJP members requested the PM to schedule his address for 5 pm instead of the usual 8 pm. They wanted to watch the India-Pakistan cricket match and so the time was changed. What great patriots are these people who have made this arrangement! The prime minister talked about GST at 5 o’clock yesterday (Sunday) so that blind devotees and BJP members could watch the cricket match. What a display of patriotism,” Sanjay Raut said.

Citing a viral video showing Pakistani batsman Sahibzada Farhan making a gun firing gesture during a match with India which has sparked a controversy, Raut said, “Sahibzada Farhan just proved on the field how Pakistani terrorists slaughtered 26 innocents in Pahalgam by gunning them down like it was nothing. He gripped his bat like an AK-47, firing boundaries.”

Raut also targeted Union Minister Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah who is the chairperson of the International Cricket Council (ICC) by name. “We have not given Bharat Ratna. Jay Shah should be given Bharat Ratna for stopping the India-Pakistan war. United States President Donald Trump should also be given the Nobel prize for insulting India’s martyrs. All Bhakts should strongly demand Bharat Ratna for Jay Bhai,” he said sarcastically.

Raut had claimed a few days ago that Jay Shah, who heads the International Cricket Council (ICC) had paid Rs 50,000 crore to Pakistan, while he announced a ‘My Sindoor, My Country’ campaign against the India-Pakistan cricket match played in Dubai.

Raut’s statements came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens through an address on Sunday to take pride in purchasing and selling Swadeshi products, noting that India’s prosperity depends on the strength of self-reliance.

During his address to the nation on the eve of the Navratri festival, PM Modi affirmed that achieving the goal of a developed India requires adopting self-reliance and promoting Made-in-India products.

PM Modi also touched upon the next-generation GST reforms, which are set to roll out effective September 22 (Monday), which is the first day of the Navratri festival.