Talking to reporters, Raut claimed the BJP and its "sister concern," alluding to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, are trying to rake up the issues of recitation of Hanuman Chalisa and Ayodhya to divert attention from issues like unemployment, inflation, and the Chinese incursion. "If someone says where were Shiv Sainiks when the Babri Masjid was demolished, (then) they should ask their leader (late) Sunder Singh Bhandari where was the Shiv Sena. Check the CBI report of that time. Check the IB report," the Shiv Sena's spokesperson said. "Those who don't have the knowledge and ask where the Shiv Sena was will get answers. The situation has changed, and so have the issues. People will not pay heed to it (the issues being raked up)," the Rajya Sabha member said.