Eknath Shinde: Amid the ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra veteran Shiva Sena(UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has launched a staunch attack on Eknath Shinde’s camp for instigating faction related conflict among the political parties. Raut also responded to Ajit Pawar comments on Sharad Pawar’s age and cited the example of late Shiva Sena Supremo Balasaheb Thackrey. “He (Sharad Pawar) always inspires us. Balasaheb Thackeray was 84-86 years old, we always drew inspiration and strength from him. It is not about the age.” Raut told ANI.
MP Sanjay Raut had also claimed that he was in touch with 17-18 MLAs from Shinde’s camp “We are not saying that they are coming to us but since the past week, they have contacted us expressing their displeasure. Now also, four MLAs called me. Eighteen MLAs have contacted. It is not that they have joined us, the decision can only be taken by Uddhav Thackery.”
Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Samant then proceeded to dismissed Raut’s claims by stating that 6 of UBTs MLAs are in his contact and wanted to jump ship form UBT to Eknath camp. Meanwhile party leader and Member of Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) Neelam Gorhe has joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of CM Eknath Shinde.
Sanjay Raut had earlier claimed that Eknath Shinde left because of AJit Pawar and now they are putting up a show where they have joined hands again. Due to Ajit Pawar, they (the Shinde faction) left Shiv Sena, and now they have joined each other…CM Eknath Shinde and his 40 thieves are saying that they are with us…This is all pretence,” MP Sanjay Raut told ANI.
NCP crisis deepens
Over the last few days, NCP factions have been muddling over legitimacy and this event has drawn sharp comments from both sides. During a meeting in Mumbai Ajit Pawar had said “In other parties, leaders retire after an age. In BJP, leaders retire at 75, when are you going to stop? You should also give new people a chance. If we make mistakes, tell us. Your age is 83, will you ever stop or not? You give us blessings.”
Sharad Pawar had responded during the National Executive meet in Delhi by saying that no worries if his age is 82 or 92, all that matters is effectiveness and effectiveness is the essential bottom-line. Supirya Sule said that age is just a number and several tycoons like Amitabh Bachchan, Ratan Tata and Cyrus S. Poonawalla all are over the age of 80. “Do they look tired?”, she added. She claimed even at 83 there is no match for Sharad Pawar.
Ajit Pawar had dismissed at National executive meet in Delhi as illegitimate. After a meeting between rival factions in Mumbai, Ajit filed a request to Election commission of India (EIC) to grant his faction NCP symbol as they are the legitimate representatives. Sharad Pawar has refuted all claims made by Ajit and maintains that he is still the party president. He has conceded that if the majority holds against him he will be bounded by the party’s decision “The party is paramount, and I am bound by the party’s decisions,” He also refused to call Ajit a ‘cheater’ over his act.
‘No need for mediation‘
Yesterday Ajit Pawar had met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Abhijit Panse, sparking rumors of a truce between Uddhav and Raj Thackrey. Sanjay Raut responded to this by saying “there’s no need for mediation to talk to Raj Thackeray…Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray are brothers” He further added that naturally state of political situation in state was discussed during his meeting with Abhijit Panse but no proposal has been forwarded by him.
When asked about Neelam Gorhe’s departure from the UBT outfit, Raut did not make a direct comment and counter claimed that he is in contact of 17-18 MLAs of Shiv Sen. A few moments after this Neelam Gorhe formally joined Shiva Sena in presence of Eknath Shinde.
Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat attacked Raut and said.“One should not take Sanjay Raut seriously. He and Vinayak Raut are specialists in spreading fake news and rumours. If any MLAs are in touch with you, reveal at least one name.”
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