Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that Eknath Shinde is an old Shiv Sainik, he cannot leave Sena and we cannot leave him.
Amid the political turmoil in Maharshtra, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut spoke to “old Shiv Sanik” Eknath Shinde on a phone call on Wednesday morning. “Eknath Shinde is an old Shiv Sainik and he is our friend. We’ve worked together for decades. It’s neither easy for him nor for us to leave each other. I had a conversation with him for an hour this morning and the party chief was informed about it,” said Raut.
Raut claimed that Shinde has not laid down any conditions and has no demands. “Talks are underway with MLAs who are with Eknath Shinde, everybody will stay in Shiv Sena. Shinde is a Shiv Sainik and he’ll stay a Shiv Sainik,” said Raut.
He also asserted that Congress and NCP are supporting CM Uddhav Thackeray. “We will continue to fight. What’s the worst thing that can happen? We will lose power. We will lose power! But power comes and goes and we will again get it, but the dignity of the party is everything and it should remain intact at all costs”, said Raut while adding that the party is a fighter and “we’ll struggle consistently”.
Sanjay Raut further said that a lot was being written about his relationship with Shinde but the fact remained that they were Shiv Sainiks working for the party and hence, remained in communication.
Raut also said that there was no truth to the statement that Sharad Pawar had warned Uddhav Thackeray a couple of months back about the growing unrest within the Shiv Sena.
The banner read, ‘Your arrogance would last 4 days, our kingship is inherited.’
The poster has images of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Balasaheb Thackeray, Aditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut and other prominent faces.
While the Shinde camp remained tight-lipped on the developments within it, Shinde said: “We have not left Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. We shall not leave it. We have been following Balasaheb’s Hindutva and will carry it further.
