According to police officials in Nashik, Uddhav Thackeray faction leader Sanjay Raut made objectionable remarks during a press conference in the city, against Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. In an interview today with reporters, Raut reiterated that crores of rupees were spent to break the Shiv Sena.
“Hundreds of crores of rupees were spent to break Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena is Maharashtra’s self-respect and honour. Balasaheb Thackeray formed Shiv Sena for Maharashtra’s self-respect,” he said, citing a Saamna article, which reportedly mentioned that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is the biggest enemy of Maharashtra and Marathis. The developments have surfaced following Raut’s allegations that transactions of Rs 2000 crores were made to get the Shiv Sena party name and its “bow and arrow” emblem. Days after the Eknath Shinde group received the “bow and arrow” insignia from the Election Commission, Raut made his declaration.
“I have informed the nation with my tweet. The way our symbol and Shiv Sena’s name have been taken is not just, it’s a business deal for which Rs 2000 crore worth of transactions are done within 6 months. And this is my initial estimate,” he said.
“What does it mean if you are indulging in mockery by breaking and purchasing Shiv Sena? Shiv Sena will not end. It is ember, it is fire, it won’t extinguish,” he added. Raut has stated in a tweet that the Rs 2,000 crore contract is a tentative calculation, which is completely correct. The Rajya Sabha member said that his assertion was supported by evidence, which he would shortly release.
“I believe… Deals and transactions worth Rs 2000 crores have been done so far to get the election symbol and name… This is a preliminary figure and 100 per cent true… Soon many things will be revealed… This had never happened in the history of the country,” tweeted Raut.
Moreover, he made fun of the home minister, claiming that he was never taken seriously. After Amit Shah’s claim that the “Satyameva Jayate” formula gained significance as a result of the EC’s judgement, Raut commented: “What Amit Shah says has never been taken seriously. What can we say about people who believe in buying justice and truth? Who has won and lost Maharashtra we’ll show when the time comes. We’ll not say anything now.”
In an address in Pune, Amit Shah had said, “Yesterday the Election Commission made ‘doodh ka doodh, aur paani ka paani’ (established the difference between truth and lie). Yesterday, the Satyameva Jayate formula gained significance. The party name ‘Shiv Sena’ and the bow and arrow emblem were given to Shinde Ji.” The group headed by CM Shinde was granted permission to identify as the Shiv Sena and use the bow and arrow emblem by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on February 17.
Since Shinde rebelled against Thackeray last year, both factions of the party have been vying over the emblem and the party name. The Uddhav Thackeray group said that they will appeal to the Supreme Court, while the Shinde faction hailed the decision to be acknowledged as the legitimate Shiv Sena. The SC refused urgent hearing of the matter earlier today in response to a plea by the Thackeray faction.
