‘Party Can’t Be Hijacked With Such Ease’: Sanjay Raut Takes On BJP For Maha Political Crisis | Top Developments

Asserting the Shiv Sainiks have right now “not come out on the streets”, Raut said: “If they do, the streets will be on fire.”

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut. (File photo/Getty)

New Delhi: Launching a vitriolic attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday asked the saffron party leaders to “stop bleating like a goat” and said his party “cannot be hijacked with such ease”. Raut expressed confidence of proving the majority on the floor of the Maharashtra Assembly. “Stop bleating like a goat (to BJP leaders)... During our meeting last night in the presence of Sharad Pawar, we received a call from 10 (rebel) MLAs... Come to the floor of the House and we will know who is stronger,” news agency ANI quoted Raut as saying.

“Outside Maharashtra, you are eagles. But people’s patience is wearing thin,” he added.

Asserting the Shiv Sainiks have right now “not come out on the streets”, Raut said: “If they do, the streets will be on fire.”

The Shiv Sena leader further said that they would sit together at a meeting during which they would discuss the party’s expansion and its future.

“The party is very big and cannot be hijacked with such ease. It has been made with our blood. Several sacrificed to make it. No one can break it with money,” he added.

Shiv Sena Blames BJP In 'Saamana':

Raut’s remarks come as the Shiv Sena has in its party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ blamed the BJP for the ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra.

The Shiv Sena has hinted the rebel MLAs have sided with the BJP in fear of an Enforcement Directorate investigation. It is also speculated that dissident Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde might be supported by the BJP to take this rebellious step.

Shiv Sena Workers Vandalise Rebel Party MLA's Office:

Earlier in the day, the Shiv Sena workers vandalised the office of rebel party MLA Tanaji Sawant in Pune.

The party workers, in a video shared by ANI, are seen breaking the window panes while raising slogans against Sawant, who is currently camping with Shinde in Assam’s Guwahati.

The incident of vandalism at Sawant’s office comes after Shinde in a letter alleged that security cover to the families of legislators was withdrawn and called it an ‘act of revenge’.

Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil Rubbishes Shinde’s Claim:

Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil has, however, denied Shinde’s claims and said allegations being levelled to this effect are “mischievous and false”.

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) sought to know who was paying the bills of hotels in Guwahati and Surat.

The NCP, which shares power with the Shiv Sena and Congress in Maharashtra, also asked the Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to find out the source of “black money” involved.

“Who is paying bills of hotels in Surat and Guwahati as well as the chartered flight? Is it true that horse-trading rate is Rs 50 crore? If the ED and IT get activated, the source of the black money will be exposed,” said NCP chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase.

Shiv Sena MLA Deepak Kesarkar, currently camping with other rebel MLAs in Guwahati, will hold a press conference virtually this evening.

This comes as majority of the Shiv Sena MLAs have shifted their loyalty to Shinde and are camping in Guwahati.

They have pushed the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray into a crisis.

Shinde and the other rebel MLAs had stayed at a hotel in Surat before a hotel in Guwahati became their base.