Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MP Sanjay Raut have made a shocking claim that Shiv Sena chief and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde approached Union Minister Amit Shah seeking the post of Chief Minister in Maharashtra over a week ago, but was rebuffed.
Raut made the claim in Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana's 'Rokhthok' section published on Sunday. It said the meeting happened on February 22 at West Inn Hotel in Koregaon Park in Pune and Shinde waited till 4 am to meet the Union Minister. He complained to Amit Shah about the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. "I have no prestige in the government, I was the Chief Minister till yesterday. All my decisions are being reversed," Shinde reportedly told Amit Shah.
In the article, Raut claims that Shinde argued before Shah that he broke away from Shiv Sena trusting the BJP's claim that he would remain the Chief Minister even after elections. Shah reportedly said that the BJP had over 125 MLAs and rightly deserved to lead the government, but Shinde argued that the elections were won under his leadership.
"No, the election was held on Modiji's face," Shah said, asking what Shinde wanted. To the Shiv Sena leader's reply that he wanted the Chief Minister's post, Shah said: "You will merge in BJP. Your claim will then remain. An outsider will not become the CM of Maharashtra," Amit Shah replied to Shinde, adding that the BJP has respected Shiv Sena.
VIDEO | Interacting with media in Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) said, "Eknath Shinde needs training about Hindutva. (RSS chief) Mohan Bhagwat didn't visit (Kumbh Mela). Devendra Fadnavis did go, but how many of his ministers went there?... Why didn't Mohan… pic.twitter.com/VwJ2tB3b1C
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 2, 2025
Raut, the Executive Editor of Marathi newspaper, also said in the piece that Maratha pride has been forfeited at the hands of 'Delhiites'. "The 'Maratha' in Eknath Shinde woke up while starting a fight with Uddhav Thackeray. That Maratha is now seen kneeling at the feet of the Shah of Delhi," he alleged.
The MP had earlier too alleged a rift between Shinde and Fadanvis. He earlier alleged in the newspaper that both leaders had no real communications. He said the discord has left the state administration "paralysed". Raut alleged that attacks on Shinde have begun, and Maharashtra has been left in a state of uncertainty and disorder.
