Sanjay Raut to US President: Democracy is about fair polls, external endorsement appears misplaced

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MP, Sanjay Raut, on Friday took strong objection to US President Donald Trump’s move to congratulate Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on the West Bengal Assembly election results, saying that these are state-level elections — an internal matter of India’s federal democracy and any external endorsement appears premature and misplaced.

He went on to urge President Trump for a more informed and balanced view, given his emphasis on democratic values.

In his post on X, Raut said he was writing in his capacity as a Member of Parliament from India. “Democracy is not just about elections — it is about ensuring they are free, fair, and credible. When serious allegations arise, they warrant scrutiny, not celebration. Were these concerns considered before your statement?” he asked President Trump.

“More importantly, serious concerns have emerged. Numerous complaints allege an atmosphere of fear, intimidation, and systemic pressure. There are widespread perceptions that the Election Commission did not act impartially and that its functioning appeared to favour the BJP, raising questions about institutional neutrality. Equally troubling are allegations regarding the extensive deployment of central forces, which many believe created coercion rather than confidence,” stated Raut.

He further noted, “Senior leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, have publicly raised concerns about the fairness of the process. These reflect a broader unease that cannot be ignored.”

President Trump had congratulated PM Modi on his "historic and decisive" election victory, as per a White House spokesman on Tuesday.

“Just last month on their phone call, President Trump expressed to Prime Minister Modi his admiration and how lucky India is to have him as its leader," White House Spokesman Kush Desai said. "The President congratulates Prime Minister Modi on this recent, historic, and decisive election victory,” he added.