A day after staying silent at a party event, Shiv Sena’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut criticized defectors, particularly Omraje Nimbalkar and Nagesh Patil Ashtikar. Raut labeled Omraje as superficial and pompous, questioning his departure despite past commitments to the party. He also condemned the defections during the last Lok Sabha elections, referring to the departing members as insignificant.
Raut further took a dig at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, responding to Shinde’s remarks about political operations. He expressed skepticism about Shinde’s lasting political influence, drawing parallels to past leaders whose power waned. Raut’s criticism follows party chief Uddhav Thackeray’s apology to voters for the actions of defecting leaders.
Thackeray, in his address, criticized the BJP and Shinde-led faction, warning against continued attempts to poach MPs or MLAs. He threatened a retaliatory move, dubbed “Operation Lotus,” if such actions persist. The party is prepared to counter any further defections with its own strategic response.
