Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, comparing his rebellion against the party to a Cesarean procedure. Speaking to media on 22 June 2026, Raut said, 'Eknath Shinde has undergone a Cesarean procedure and given birth to six traitors.' The remark referred to the six rebel MLAs who sided with Shinde during the 2022 political crisis that split the Shiv Sena.
Raut's Expletive-Laden Tirade
Earlier in his statement, Raut used abusive language against the rebels, saying in Marathi, 'Ye s*le b****ke...' (These bastards...). He did not mince words while criticizing the group that broke away from the party founded by Bal Thackeray. The comments come amid ongoing tensions between the two Shiv Sena factions.
Context of the Rebellion
The rebellion led by Eknath Shinde in June 2022 saw 40 of the 55 Shiv Sena MLAs defect, causing the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by Uddhav Thackeray. Shinde later became Chief Minister with support from the BJP. Raut's latest attack underscores the deep rift within the party, which remains unresolved even after four years.
Political Fallout
Raut's remarks are likely to escalate verbal hostilities between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Shinde-led faction. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has consistently accused Shinde of betraying the party's ideology. Political analysts note that such personal attacks reflect the intense rivalry as both factions prepare for the upcoming state assembly elections.
