Maharashtra CM's Son Has Given Supari To Kill Me, Says Raut. Shinde Camp Calls It 'Cheap Stunt'

Reacting to the claims, Sanjay Shirsath, an MLA from CM Eknath Shinde's group, called the letter a 'cheap stunt' by Sanjay Raut.

Amid a raging row around the Shiv Sena party's name and poll symbol, Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday wrote to Mumbai Police alleging threat to his life from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's son, PTI reported.

"Lok Sabha member Shrikant Shinde (Eknath Shinde's son) has given a supari (contract) to kill me to a Thane-based criminal Raja Thakur. I have confirmed information regarding the same. I am informing you as a responsible citizen," Raut said in his letter to the Mumbai Police Commissioner.

Copies of the letter were also sent to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who heads the Home Department, and the police of Thane city.

READ | 'Democracy Murdered, SC Only Hope': Says Sanjay Raut, Top Court To Hear Uddhav Camp Plea Tomorrow

Reacting to the claims, Sanjay Shirsath, an MLA from Shinde's group, called the letter a "cheap stunt" by Raut and said a probe could be launched.

"Raut is doing is a cheap stunt to gain sympathy. There is no doubt that there should be a thorough probe into the matter. However, do not forget that Raut does a lot of stunts, which have no substance. I believe Dr Shrikant Shinde would never ever do such a thing, still a probe can be initiated," PTI quoted Shirsath as saying.

Aaditya Thackeray, MLA and son of former CM Uddhav Thackeray, said the complaint should be taken seriously. 

"Unfortunately, these traitor MLAs (from Shinde camp) are not being controlled at all. One MLA had opened fire in Mahim area of Mumbai, but no action has been taken at all," Thackeray said. 

The development comes over a war of words between the two Sena factions after the Election Commission's decision to recognise the Shinde group as the real Shiv Sena. The poll panel also allowed it to use the "bow and arrow" symbol in elections.

In another blow to the Thackeray camp, the Lok Sabha Secretariat on Tuesday allotted the Shiv Sena office in Parliament House to the Shinde-led faction.

However, the Uddhav Thackeray faction has challenged the Election Commission's decision in Supreme Court, which will hear the matter on Wednesday.