The legal battle between the Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde factions over the Shiv Sena’s election symbol and party rights continues. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) MP Sanjay Raut launched a scathing attack on Eknath Shinde and made a significant statement regarding former Chief Minister Narayan Rane’s contribution to the Shiv Sena.
Eknath Shinde recently said that he previously had 40 MLAs with him and now his number has increased to 60. Responding to this statement, Sanjay Raut cited the example of Narayan Rane and acknowledged his political contribution.
Raut recognizes Narayan Rane’s contribution
Sanjay Raut said that Narayan Rane was a great leader and had fought hard for the Shiv Sena. He said that Rane’s contribution to the party’s expansion should be acknowledged.
Raut said that Narayan Rane left the Shiv Sena under a specific circumstance. However, he did not stake his claim to the Shiv Sena, but instead tried to form his own political party and later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Raut also cited the example of Raj Thackeray, who left the Shiv Sena to form the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. He said Eknath Shinde should also have formed a separate party.
“I never lie”
Speaking about Narayan Rane, Sanjay Raut said that Rane had worked hard for Shiv Sena and had contributed to the expansion of the party.
He stated clearly, “Narayan Rane was a great leader. He fought for the party, and this must be acknowledged. He contributed to the party’s expansion, and this must be acknowledged. I never lie.”
This statement of Raut is also being considered important because Narayan Rane has been one of the main political opponents of Shiv Sena for a long time.
Shiv Sena again targeted for rights
On the question of authority over Shiv Sena, Sanjay Raut said that Shiv Sena was founded by Balasaheb Thackeray and currently Uddhav Thackeray is the head of the party.
He said that the party had made him an MP and he was bound by party orders. Raut also took a dig at the MLAs accompanying Eknath Shinde, saying that the party had fielded and elected these MLAs.
Serious allegations against the Election Commission as well
Sanjay Raut also leveled serious allegations against the Election Commission and the country’s constitutional institutions, claiming that they were working under pressure.
Amidst the ongoing legal battle over Shiv Sena’s election symbol and party rights, Raut’s statement has once again intensified the debate in Maharashtra politics.
“How many did you break, how many did I break…”
Sanjay Raut also targeted the government when asked questions about Eknath Shinde’s visit to Delhi and his possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He sarcastically said that the discussion between the two leaders would probably be on “how many did you break, how many did I break and how many more are yet to be broken.”
Raut also accused industrialists of being given properties and public institutions in Maharashtra. He questioned the government’s policies, citing various projects linked to Adani and Ambani.
Rhetoric intensifies in Maharashtra politics
This statement of Sanjay Raut is being considered important amid the ongoing legal battle over Shiv Sena’s election symbol and rights over the party, political conflict between Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde factions and upcoming political equations.
Significantly, despite their political differences, Raut openly acknowledged Narayan Rane’s contribution to the Shiv Sena. His statement has sparked a new round of debate in Maharashtra politics.