Raut faces ire of rebels, Sainiks
MUMBAI: While the rebellion unfolded in Shiv Sena over the past 10 days, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, one of the architects of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, has been heavily criticised by rebel MLAS as well as a section of Sena leaders for his vocal criticism of the rebel legislators.
Even before former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray made a formal appeal to the rebels, Raut’s daily tirade against them damaged whatever chances there were to bring them back.
“Even before Uddhav ji made a formal appeal to the rebel group, Raut saheb started his attack,” said a Sena leader, requesting anonymity. Some of the Sena rebels even went on record to express their anger over the way they were being targeted by the Sena MP.
“Many statements were made by Sanjay Raut, where he called us pigs and corpse. He dragged our families into it. After that if someone expects us to go back, then it’s not going to happen,” said Deepak Kesarkar, informal spokesperson of Shinde group.
Meanwhile, Raut defended his behaviour. “Don’t blame me or Sharad Pawar; these are just excuses for power... If I am responsible of forming the MVA alliance, then so be it. I am taking responsibility for making a v Sena chief minister,” he said.
Kesarkar, a former minister in the Devendra Fadnavis government, blamed Raut for the bitter ties between the Sena and BJP. “The ties between BJP and Shiv Sena worsened also because of Sanjay Raut... If Raut saheb can cause us so much grief in the seven days, one can imagine how much it must have hurt the BJP,”HE added.
Meanwhile, Raut added that the party would grow and achieve newer heights as the leadership rebuilt it. “Eknath Shinde is a staunch Shiv Sainik. But they have taken a new path now, and we will not create any hurdles in that,” he said.