MUMBAI: Shiv Sena leader

on Thursday withdrew his controversial comments wherein he claimed that former prime minister Indira Gandhi met gangster

in Mumbai.

"If someone feels my statement hurt Indira Gandhi's image, or someone's feelings, I take it back," Raut said.

"In the past, I have taken her (Gandhi's) side and argued with people who tried to malign her image. In such cases, some Congress leaders had remained silent," the

member said.

During an interview to a media group at its award function in Pune on Wednesday, Raut claimed that "Indira Gandhi used to meet Karim Lala in

(in south Mumbai)."

Congress leaders Milind Deora and

on Thursday morning asked Raut to withdraw his "ill-informed" remarks.