New Delhi: Shiv Sena spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut who has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for today said that he would not be able to appear before the enforcement agency adding that he will ask for another date to appear, as per ABP News sources.
The Shiv Sena MP was summoned by the enforcement agency for questioning in a money laundering probe linked to Patra Chawl redevelopment in Mumbai and other related financial transactions involving his wife and friends, the sources said.
Raut who dubbed the ED summons as a “conspiracy” said that he will not be able to appear before the ED as he has to attend a meeting in Alibaug.
Taking to Twitter, Raut said, "I just came to know that the ED has summoned me. Good! There are big political developments in Maharashtra. We, Balasaheb's Shivsainiks are fighting a big battle. This is a conspiracy to stop me. Even if you behead me, I won't take the Guwahati route." "Arrest me ! Jai Hind!" he added.
Later, talking to reporters, Raut said, "I cannot go tomorrow as I have to attend a public meeting in Alibaug, and I will attend it." The parliamentarian said he is a "Shiv Sena tiger" and the executive editor of a fierce newspaper like the (Sena mouthpiece) 'Saamana'.
Speaking on the faction created within the party by rebel MLAs, Raut said that "some of them are no being considered as rebel". "Their families are in contact with us, we will remian hopeful until they return to Mumbai," he added.
The Sena MP further said that he has "no personal resentment" against Eknath Shinde adding "we are friends, we were together in Ayodhya".
Targeting the rebel MLAs of the party, Raut said that even if he is killed, he will not resort to the "Guwahati route" taken by rebel legislators from Maharashtra.
The development comes as the party battles rebellion from a group of its legislators led by Eknath Shinde putting a question mark on the future of Maharashtra's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.
(With inputs from PTI)