13 May,2024 09:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sanjay Raut. File Pic
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday alleged that Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde carried bags stashed with cash in a helicopter to Nashik, a claim rubbished by the CM Shinde-led Shiv Sena, reported the PTI.
Sanjay Raut posted a video on X, showing CM Shinde alighting from a helicopter and some persons around him carrying large bags.
"If they claim to have the support of the people, then why do they need money to entice voters," Sanjay Raut said during a media interaction, as per the PTI.
"The authorities have time to probe our helicopters, but no action is taken against these people," he added, according to the PTI.
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Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat rubbished Sanjay Raut's claim, saying the bags contained clothes, according to the news agency.
"When any leader goes on such tours, he takes along bags containing clothes," he said.
Sanjay Raut is imagining things, he added.
Sanjay Raut claims CM Shinde wanted to join BJP in 2022 fearing CBI-ED
Meanwhile, last week, during a major election rally in Thane, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders claimed that CM Eknath Shinde considered joining the BJP in June 2022 out of fear of imprisonment, but the united party dismissed his request.
According to Sanjay Raut and Lok Sabha Elections 2024 candidate Rajan Vichare, CM Shinde voiced concerns about being investigated by the CBI-ED and believed that joining the BJP would provide him with safety. When asked for more information, Shinde remained cryptic, reported IANS.
The IANS report stated that Raut emphasised that Shinde's fear of imprisonment influenced political actions, particularly the schism within the Shiv Sena that resulted in Uddhav Thackeray's dismissal as CM of the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
"On June 14, 2022, Shinde spoke with me, saying that 'it would be better to join the BJP and PM Narendra Modi'. He said he was not keen on going to jail," claimed Sanjay Raut.
According to the IANS report, Raut, while referring to the vertical split in Shiv Sena in June 2022 which toppled the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by Uddhav Thackeray, said, "When I said that the ED-CBI will not just start probing unless they have something in hand, he did not specifyâ¦; and all the political developments followed."
(with PTI and IANS inputs)
