With municipal corporation elections approaching in Maharashtra, political equations are shifting rapidly. The upcoming civic polls will mark a first in state politics, with the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) contesting together, as Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray join hands for the civic battle.
Against this backdrop, senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut launched a sharp attack on the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, questioning its claim of being the “real” Shiv Sena. Raut said that historically, it was the Shiv Sena that accommodated the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Mumbai by offering seats, and not the other way around.
“Now the tables have turned,” Raut said, alleging that those claiming to represent the Shiv Sena are standing at the doors of the BJP seeking seats. Taking a swipe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Raut claimed that the Shinde faction approached him for an alliance and is now contesting elections on seats allotted by the BJP. “In its 60-year history, the Shiv Sena has never gone begging at anyone’s doorstep,” he added.
Targeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directly, Raut described it as “ridiculous, shocking and shameful” that a group projecting itself as the Shiv Sena was fighting elections on seats given by another party. He said the Shiv Sena (UBT) has always entered alliances with dignity and, under the current understanding, is expected to contest around 140 seats.
Raut also said that Raj Thackeray-led MNS will contest a significant number of seats and that allocations have been made for the Nationalist Congress Party as well. “The people will decide who represents the real Shiv Sena,” he said, expressing disappointment that a party which once dictated alliance terms to the BJP is now seen contesting on seats “thrown” its way.
Reiterating his criticism, Raut said past alliances were forged on the Shiv Sena’s terms, whereas the present situation reflects what he described as a helpless image of Marathi leadership. “This is unfortunate for the Marathi people. Whenever the BJP took such a stand in the past, the Shiv Sena chose to step aside with self-respect,” he said.
Monday is the last day for filing nominations. According to the current seat distribution in Mumbai, the Shiv Sena (UBT) is set to contest over 150 seats, the MNS around 54 seats, the BJP 137 seats, and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) 90 seats.
