Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut makes surprise appearance at Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu's dharna

Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut attended Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu's day-long fast in New Delhi, which was also attended by several Opposition leaders as a show of strength and solidarity.

Raut said he came to attend the event as a representative of the Shiv Sena, which still happens to be BJP's ally. He reiterated that he came to the event to deliver the message of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.

The move comes at a time when the war of words between the Shiv Sena and the BJP are at an all-time high over the issue of Ram Mandir, with the latter trying to iron out differences with the former.

Raut, who was seen sitting between Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh, told CNN News18 that he rejected the usage of the word "mahamilaavat" (a jibe at Mahagathbandhan) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut at Andhra Pradesh CM & TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu's day-long fast in AP Bhawan,Delhi. pic.twitter.com/Nj6jZ0vmb9

— ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2019

Raut attended the event amid Opposition leaders who had come to express their solidarity with N Chandrababu Naidu, who declared a day-long fast demanding special status for his state.

Among the attendees were Congress President Rahul Gandhi who reiterated the "chowkidar chor hai" jibe, Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal, National Congress Party (NCP) chief Farooq Abdullah.