Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has defended Vijay Mallya in his new book, arguing that the businessman had no intention of cheating anyone and was forced to leave India after his business failed.In his book, Bodh Kirtan, which will be released tomorrow in the presence of Thackeray brothers, Raut also praises Prime Minister Narendra Modiās non-political speeches.The book brings together Rautās personal experiences, encounters and reflections on his reading.āMALLYA NEEDED RELIEF, NOT A WAIVERāRaut writes that he knew Mallya closely from their interactions in Parliament and the Central Hall. He describes him as cheerful, generous and more patriotic than many parliamentary leaders.
He argues that Mallyaās lavish lifestyle created misconceptions about him, though it may have been necessary for his business.Disputing the description of Mallya as a āfugitiveā, Raut says banks should have supported him when his business collapsed and loans remained unpaid. He claims the PM Modi government waived loans for several industrialists over the past decade, while Mallya needed relief rather than a waiver.PRAISE FOR PM MODIāS SPEECHESIn the chapter 'Deepstambh', Raut draws a distinction between PM Modiās political and non-political speeches.While describing the former as lacking interest or substance, he says the latter are worth listening to and reading.He describes Modiās speech on Lord Ram during the Ayodhya Deepotsav as āan emotional festival of lights in wordsā, adding that Ramās ideals would serve as a guiding light for every Indian.- Ends