Mumbai
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde once wanted Uddhav and Raj Thackeray to unite before the Shiv Sena split. Writing in his weekly column Rokthok in Saamana, Raut said Shinde is now unhappy that the Thackeray cousins have finally come together.
According to Raut, Shinde and Shiv Sena minister Pratap Sarnaik had earlier requested him to bring Uddhav and Raj together to “unfurl the saffron flag” across Maharashtra and stop the BJP’s rise. He said the two even met Raj Thackeray without taking permission from Matoshri, Uddhav Thackeray’s residence.
Raut accused Shinde of later betraying Uddhav Thackeray for personal gain. He also alleged that Shinde is now trying to undermine Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who reportedly does not want the Shiv Sena group close to him.
Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray have recently appeared together at several public events, hinting at a possible alliance before the state’s civic polls due by January 2026. Leaders from both sides consider their partnership a near certainty.
Raut said Shinde’s position has weakened after the Thackeray cousins reunited, while Marathi unity has grown stronger. He added that Shinde has been frequently visiting Delhi as the Supreme Court hearing on November 12 approaches. The case concerns the Speaker’s decision to award the ‘bow and arrow’ party symbol to Shinde’s faction.
Shinde, who recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, has not commented on Raut’s claims.
