Lawmakers from Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena won't win next election, says Sanjay Raut

Sanjay Raut. File Pic

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday claimed that lawmakers from the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will not win the next election, reported news agency PTI.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Sanjay Raut also claimed that CM Eknath Shinde was keen on a foreign tour, while farmers in parts of the state were staring at crop losses due to erratic rainfall, reported PTI.

Asked about the possibility that Shinde's side may issue a whip against four Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs for not attending a discussion on the women reservation's bill in Parliament, Sanjay Raut said, "It is a trivial matter for us that they would issue a whip against four of our Lok Sabha members."

"They (Eknath Shinde group lawmakers) should first know that none of them are going to win the next election," the Rajya Sabha member claimed.

A revolt led by Eknath Shinde in June last year led to a split in the Shiv Sena and the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-headed Maha Vikas Aghadi government in the state.

Sanjay Raut said Eknath Shinde had plans to visit some foreign countries to attract investment, and claimed the CM cancelled his plans only after a critical post on X by Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, reported PTI.

Eknath Shinde's visit to the United Kingdom and Germany, scheduled from October 1 to 8, has been postponed, an official from the CMO said on Tuesday, adding the new dates are being worked out.

Asked about reports of Eknath Shinde-led group citing water scarcity and other issues in the state leading to the postponement of his foreign tour, Sanjay Raut sarcastically said, "Did he come to know about all those challenges only after Aaditya tweeted? We should be thankful to CM Shinde for showing such sensitivity."

"Why did he (CM Eknath Shinde) not visit Nagpur, which was literally submerged due to illegal constructions and encroachments. There are farmers likely to lose their crops because of the erratic rains, but Eknath Shinde seems to be keen on his foreign tour," the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader claimed, reported PTI.

(With inputs from PTI)