Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut stated that his party would not seek support from the Eknath Shinde-led faction for the Mumbai mayor’s post. Raut emphasized that the Shiv Sena is not in a desperate state to compromise its principles for power. Amid speculation about Mumbai’s governance post-civic polls, Raut mentioned that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is unlikely to relinquish the prestigious mayor’s position.
Raut accused the BJP of exploiting Balasaheb Thackeray’s name and images for political advantage. He criticized the BJP for dividing the Shiv Sena that Thackeray had built, questioning their true respect for him. The statement followed Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Bhaskar Jadhav’s suggestion that the Shinde faction should support Uddhav Thackeray’s candidate for a “Shiv Sena” mayor during Balasaheb Thackeray’s birth centenary year.
When asked if Shiv Sena (UBT) would consider Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s group’s support for the mayoral post, Raut firmly stated they would not accept it. He emphasized that the party is not in dire need of power and would not compromise its dignity to secure the mayoral seat. Raut also launched a scathing attack on the BJP’s role in Maharashtra politics, alleging that the party’s foundation in the state was owed to Balasaheb Thackeray.
