Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Friday wrote an open letter to US President Donald Trump objecting to his congratulatory message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the BJP’s victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections. Raut said Trump’s endorsement of the result was “premature and misplaced” and urged him not to interfere in India’s internal political matters. However, in the same letter, Raut elaborated extensively on the Bengal elections, raising questions about the conduct of the polls and alleging concerns regarding the functioning of democratic institutions during the election process. He also urged Trump to place emphasis on democratic values rather than celebrating the BJP’s victory without considering allegations raised after the polls. The letter quickly went viral on social media and triggered sharp political reactions online.
In a post shared on X while tagging Trump, Raut referred to the US President’s congratulatory remarks for Modi after the BJP secured power in West Bengal. Calling the matter an internal issue of India’s federal democracy, Raut wrote that state elections should not become a subject of international political endorsement. He claimed that “serious concerns” had emerged after the elections, alleging that several complaints pointed to an atmosphere of fear, intimidation, and systemic pressure during the campaign and polling process. Raut further alleged that many people believed the Election Commission failed to function impartially and that there were growing perceptions that the institution acted in a manner favourable to the BJP. He also questioned the role played by central security forces during the elections and claimed their deployment allegedly created coercion instead of confidence among voters.
Questioning Trump directly, Raut wrote that democracy was not merely about holding elections but also about ensuring that they are conducted in a free, fair,r and credible manner. He asked whether allegations surrounding the conduct of the polls had been examined before the White House issued its congratulatory statement. He urged Trump to adopt what he described as a more balanced and informed understanding of developments in West Bengal. The remarks led to widespread reactions online, with several social media users criticising Raut for writing to a foreign leader on an internal Indian political issue. Some users mocked the move, while others referred to previous controversies involving the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader. Despite the criticism, Raut maintained his objections to Trump’s remarks and reiterated concerns over the election process.
The controversy erupted after the BJP registered a massive victory in the 293-member West Bengal Assembly by winning 207 seats and ending the 15-year rule of Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress, which was reduced to 80 seats. Following the results, Trump congratulated Modi and described the outcome as a “historic” and “decisive” victory. White House spokesperson Kush Desai stated that Trump admired Modi’s leadership and said India was fortunate to have him as Prime Minister. The congratulatory message from the White House came at a time when the BJP achieved its first-ever victory in West Bengal, marking one of the most significant political shifts in the state in decades. Raut’s reaction has now added another layer to the political debate surrounding the Bengal election outcome and international commentary on India’s domestic politics.
