'Our Bow & Arrow Has Been Stolen, We'll Expose These Thieves': Sanjay Raut Hits Out At Shinde Faction

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said on Saturday that their 'bow and arrow' had been stolen and that people in higher positions were implicated.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday said that their 'bow and arrow' has been stolen, and people from higher authorities were involved in this. "We will find the kingpin and bring them to the public. We will get a new party sign later but before that, we'll expose these thieves," he said, according to news agency ANI. 

The EC granted the name 'Shiv Sena' and its election emblem 'bow and arrow' to the group led by Chief Minister Shinde on Friday, dealing a major blow to Uddhav Thackeray. For the first time, the Thackeray family lost control of the party created by Bal Thackeray in 1966 on the ideas of justice for the sons of the soil.

Sanjay Raut further attacked the Election Commission (EC) for recognising the faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as the true Shiv Sena, calling it a kind of political violence aimed at destabilising the party. He also stated that all political parties should inquire about the definition of a political party from the poll watchdog, PTI reported. 

Attacking BJP the leader said: "BJP is blaming Shiv Sena for using its name for votes. Now they will use Balasaheb's name for the vote. For this, they have stolen our 'bow & arrow'. Shiv Sena is not an ordinary party, we will remain forever and will again come into power in the future".

He mentioned Shiv Sena, a party that has been around for more than 50 years and has had several of its MLAs and MPs defect under pressure. The Sena's (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader also called the EC's decision a violation of the law, the Constitution, and the will of the people.

He dared the government to conduct new elections and seek a mandate from the people to determine who owned the Shiv Sena.

Nationalist Congress Party MP Supriya Sule also came forward and said she is "surprised and disappointed" with the decision. She also said that the party has to "deal with it". Citing what Sharad Pawar said, she added, "you've to face these challenges and start from the beginning. Only background one must not forget is that party was started by Balasaheb Thackeray & he had decided who'll run it," she said, ANI reported. 

In June of last year, Eknath Shinde defied Uddhav Thackeray's leadership and forged a coalition government with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

(With Inputs From ANI, PTI)