Shiv Sena MP from Thane Naresh Mhaske, known as one of the most loyal supporters of deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, has made a sensational claim. He said that when Shinde rebelled, Uddhav Thackeray had asked him to take over the Shiv Sena leadership in Thane district and region. However, Shinde had refused to do so and told Thackeray that efforts must be made to address grievances, according to Mhaske.
Mhaske was also one of the first Shiv Sena leaders to back Shinde when the party split. Needless to say that he was rewarded with a ticket to contest Lok Sabha elections in 2024, which he won in handsome manner. Since becoming MP, he has been raising important issues in the Parliament and is also one of the main spokespersons of Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde.
Mhaske has now claimed that Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and Uddhav Thackeray loyalist Sanjay Raut had first planted seeds of the rebellion in the minds of Shiv Sena legislators. According to him, Raut held a meeting of legislators in a five star hotel at Powai and told those who had gathered there to raise a banner of revolt against the Thackeray. Thackeray, who had parted ways with the BJP, was then leading the MVA government in alliance with Congress and the united NCP. Mhaske alleged that Raut wanted to become chief minister himself and told Shiv Sena legislators who Uddhav was failing to run the government. “You support my name for chief ministership and I will convince Congress and NCP,” Raut told the legislators, alleged Mhaske.
These developments took place when Sanjay Raut’s legislator brother Sunil did not become a minister in the government led by Uddhav. Also, when there was a delay in announcing Sanjay Raut’s name for another term in Rajya Sabha. “Angry Raut had then abused Uddhav Thackeray and Rashmi Thackeray,” alleged Mhaske.
Mhaske said all this when a few journalists asked him about Raut’s claim that when Shiv Sena was united Mhaske himself had written letters against Eknath Shinde. Mhaske challenged Raut to show even one letter in which he had complained against Shinde. “Show the letter or resign as MP. Entire Maharashtra knows that I was the first Shiv Sena district chief to follow Eknath Shinde in those days when he took the stand,”stated Mhaske.
Shinde Shiv Sena spokesperson Sheetal Mhatre too echoed the claim made by Mhaske and told a Marathi newschannel that it was Vishwa Pravakte (a taunt meant for Raut) who used bad words for Uddhavji and Rashmi Vahini.
It was known that Raut was angry when his MLA brother Sunil was not made minister. His anger had become evident when there was a delay in announcing his name for another Rajya Sabha term, but plotting to remove Thackeray as chief minister in order to become CM himself is something totally new and sensational.
Raut is yet to respond to these claims and allegations but can it be the case of “when there is smoke there ought to be fire somewhere”. We will have to wait till Raut gives an explanation or launches a counterattack.
