Mumbai, March 2: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut criticized Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for questioning Uddhav Thackeray’s absence at the recently concluded Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Speaking to reporters, Raut also called into question Shinde’s political judgment, suggesting the BJP should provide training to him on how to pose questions. He asserted that due to Shinde’s missteps, the BJP and its leaders are drawing more scrutiny than Thackeray himself.
Shinde’s faction of the Shiv Sena is part of the BJP-led ruling coalition in the state. The Maha Kumbh took place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh from January 13 to February 26.
In response to Shinde’s remarks targeting Sena (UBT) leader and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Raut stated, “Shinde should direct that question first to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. If Bhagwat, as a Hindu, has not visited the Kumbh, why single out Uddhav Thackeray?” Raut noted that he has not seen any imagery of RSS founder Dr. K B Hedgewar or past heads like M S Golwalkar, Balasaheb Deoras, Rajju Bhaiyya, and K Sudarshan attending any Kumbh events in the nation. He further remarked that even Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar never visited the Kumbh.
Raut also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning, “Has Modi ever attended any Kumbh before becoming PM? This is merely a publicity stunt.” PM Modi had participated in the Maha Kumbh last month, taking a ceremonial dip.
He pointed out that while Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attended the Maha Kumbh, many of his colleagues and MLAs chose not to. “Let’s move past these matters,” Raut added.
In his weekly column Rokhthok in Shiv Sena (UBT) publication ‘Saamana’, Raut alleged that Deputy CM Eknath Shinde met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Pune on February 22 to express grievances about CM Fadnavis. The meeting reportedly took place at a hotel in Koregaon Park in Pune, and Shinde, identified as the leader of 57 MLAs, had to wait until 4 a.m. to speak with Shah, Raut claimed. He alleged that Shinde complained of being sidelined in the new government, with all of his prior decisions as CM being ignored.
Raut asserted that Shinde is attempting to merge the “robbed” Shiv Sena with the BJP to reclaim the Chief Minister’s position. In June 2022, Shinde orchestrated a rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray, which led to the downfall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and a split within the Shiv Sena.
Last month, Amit Shah convened the 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council in Pune. When questioned about his claims regarding Shinde’s meeting with Shah, Raut told reporters, “Shinde should publicly deny meeting Shah and clarify his position instead of being evasive.” He added, “Even Fadnavis is aware of what Shinde conveyed to Shah regarding Fadnavis.” When asked how he was privy to such details, Raut explained, “Senior politicians often ensure that information is revealed when they wish for it to be known.”
Regarding the upcoming budget session of the Maharashtra legislature, set to begin on Monday, Raut mentioned that Shiv Sena (UBT) will stake its claim for the position of Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the assembly. “We have already finalized the name. Even if our numbers are fewer, no law or provision in the Constitution states that the House should operate without a LoP,” he concluded. (PTI)
