Dejected with BJP, will Raju Shetty join Sena?

Swabhimani Shetakari Sanghatana leader and MP Raju Shetty, who has been disappointed with BJP after his stand against the state government over the farmers issue has joined hands with Shiv Sena. Shetty will address Sena leaders on the farmers issue on May 19 at Nasik.

Shiv Sena’s ‘Mi Karjmukt Honarach’ (I will become free from debt), a gathering of farmers and Sena leaders, will be held on May 19 at Nasik. Gulabrao Patil, Sena’s minister of state for co-operation, Vinayakdada Patil, former Congress minister, and Swabhimani Shetakari Sanghatana president Raju Shetty will address the day-long gathering. Sena president Uddhav Thackeray will conclude the session.

According to Sadabhau Khot, minister of state for agriculture, Shetty is dejected with BJP and is now trying to change to Sena camp.

“Shetty may quit from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), a coalition of political parties led by BJP, in the upcoming days,” claimed Khot. “Farmers’ issues are the only reason, fact is BJP has captured many seats of Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti (local body) in Hatkanagale parliament constituency which Shetty represents,” he said .

“Shetty is planning to combine a force of Congress –NCP and Shiv Sena to defeat the BJP in next elections and his new strategy is to share dais with Sena,” said Khot.

Sena spokesperson Dr Neelam Gorhe said that inviting leader from other party does not meant he would join their party. “He is a leader for farmers and his guidance will help Sena finalise its strategy for farmers,” said Dr Gorhe.

Meanwhile, Thackeray on Monday said Sena was aggressive over farmers’ issue during the Congress-NCP regime. “The situation is the same as it was during the Congress-alliance government. Sena is with farmers and if needed, we will lead a people’s movement against the state government,” Thackeray warned.

He was on the way to Vidarbha and addressed the media at Akola.