Raut demands FIR over alleged death threat
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday demanded immediate legal action against rebel MP Sanjay Patil for allegedly making inflammatory remarks. Raut claimed that Patil threatened to "throw bombs" at anyone who protested against him, enter their homes, and "kill them." The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader urged the Maharashtra government to file a First Information Report (FIR) against Patil without delay.
Context of the controversy
The controversy erupted after a video clip surfaced on social media, purportedly showing Patil making the violent statements during a public gathering. Raut, a senior leader of the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction, condemned the remarks as a serious breach of public order and demanded strict action. He said such threats cannot be tolerated in a democracy and that Patil's statement incites violence.
Patil, who was elected as a Shiv Sena MP but later sided with the Eknath Shinde-led faction, has not yet issued a formal response to the allegations. Sources close to Patil claim the video is doctored, but Raut dismissed this as a diversion tactic.
Political fallout
Raut's demand comes amid heightened tensions between the two Shiv Sena factions. The Uddhav Thackeray camp has repeatedly accused the Shinde faction of using strong-arm tactics to suppress dissent. Raut said Patil's remarks reflect a pattern of intimidation by rebel MLAs and MPs. He warned that if the state government fails to act, his party will launch a statewide protest.
Political analysts say the incident could further strain relations between the warring factions ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. The Maharashtra Police have not yet commented on whether they will register an FIR.
