Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday sparked a fresh political storm by hurling abuses at party rebels, questioning why anyone should find it objectionable. Speaking to reporters, Raut said, 'Ye sle bike log (these rascals), what's wrong in calling them that? They are betraying the party and the people's mandate.'
Raut's Tirade Against Rebel MLAs
The remark was directed at Shiv Sena MLAs who have switched allegiance to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's faction. Raut, a Rajya Sabha member and close aide of Uddhav Thackeray, has been vocal in his criticism of the rebels, whom he accuses of undermining the party's ideology.
Political Reactions
The comment drew sharp reactions from the Shinde faction, with minister Deepak Kesarkar calling it 'unparliamentary and undignified'. 'Such language from a senior leader lowers the standard of political discourse,' Kesarkar said. Meanwhile, the ruling BJP remained cautious, with leaders refraining from direct comment.
Background of the Split
The Shiv Sena split in June 2022 when Eknath Shinde led a rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray, taking a majority of MLAs with him. The faction later allied with the BJP to form a new government. Since then, Raut has been a sharp critic of the rebels, often using strong language.
Raut's latest outburst comes amid ongoing legal battles over the party's name and symbol. The Election Commission is yet to decide on the rival claims, while both factions continue to claim legitimacy.
Political analysts say the aggressive rhetoric reflects the deepening divide within the once-unified party. With assembly elections due next year, the war of words is likely to intensify.
