‘Shivaji Fan Club’ Vs ‘Aurangzeb Fan Club’ As Sanjay Raut Hits Back At Amit Shah's Jibe At Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut stated that the people of Maharashtra love his party leader Uddhav Thackeray just as much as they loved Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut stated on Saturday that the writ of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s fan club runs in Maharashtra, while that of the "Aurangabad Fan Club" runs in Gujarat, referring to the birthplace of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Raut remarked that the people of Maharashtra love his party leader Uddhav Thackeray just as much as they loved Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, news agency PTI reported. He stated that the "cronies of Aurangzeb from Gujarat" cannot destroy the Shiv Sena (UBT).

The Rajya Sabha member emphasised that the Shiv Sena was founded on the principles of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the creator of the Maratha empire. "This is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Maharashtra. Here, the 'Shivaji Fan Club' holds sway. The 'Aurangzeb Fan Club' holds sway in BJP and Gujarat because Aurangzeb was born there," he said, as quoted by PTI.

Amit Shah Lashes Out At Uddhav Thackeray

Sanjay Raut's statements came nearly a week after Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a recent BJP state convention in Pune, criticised Uddhav Thackeray, labeling him the leader of the "Aurangzeb Fan Club". Shah also associated him with those who sought pardon for 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon.

“Who is the ‘Aurangzeb Fan Club’? Those who serve biryani to (26/11 terror attack convict) Kasab, those who seek pardon for Yakub Memon, those who give (controversial Islamic preacher) Zakir Naik a messenger of peace award, and those who support the (banned Islamist outfit) PFI. Uddhav Thackeray should be ashamed of sitting with these people,” Shah had said. 

During the speech, he also launched a fierce attack on NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, labelling him the 'sargana' (ringleader) who institutionalised corruption in India, and on Rahul Gandhi for his "arrogance" despite the repeated electoral losses of his party. Shah criticised Pawar for neglecting the welfare of Maharashtra and the country during his tenure in power.