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Tag: Uddhav Thackeray

  • ‘Would have been martyred had anything gone wrong’: CM Shinde on his rebellion against Uddhav

    By PTI

    PUNE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said that he and other rebel Shiv Sena MLAs would have ended up as “martyrs” had there been any “sabotage” during their coup against the party leadership.

    He was speaking on Thursday after visiting his native village Dare in western Maharashtra’s Satara district for the first time after becoming chief minister.

    In a bold move that brought down the government headed by Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde and other Shiv Sena MLAs supporting him left Maharashtra in the third week of June and camped in Guwahati for almost ten days.

    Referring to the episode, Shinde said he was not worried for himself, but was aware that he had the responsibility of 50 MLAs.

    “Till the last moment, everyone was keeping the fingers crossed. Had there been any sabotage, we would have been martyred,” the chief minister said.

    Speaking at the same program, he assured that the issues related to the rehabilitation of the people affected by the Koyna dam project will be resolved on a “war-footing”.

    The Dare village, where Shinde did his primary schooling before shifting to Thane, is among the ones affected by the Koyna irrigation and hydroelectric project, constructed in the 1960s.

    Decisions will also be taken to improve the connectivity between western Maharashtra and Konkan, the chief minister said.

    PUNE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said that he and other rebel Shiv Sena MLAs would have ended up as “martyrs” had there been any “sabotage” during their coup against the party leadership.

    He was speaking on Thursday after visiting his native village Dare in western Maharashtra’s Satara district for the first time after becoming chief minister.

    In a bold move that brought down the government headed by Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde and other Shiv Sena MLAs supporting him left Maharashtra in the third week of June and camped in Guwahati for almost ten days.

    Referring to the episode, Shinde said he was not worried for himself, but was aware that he had the responsibility of 50 MLAs.

    “Till the last moment, everyone was keeping the fingers crossed. Had there been any sabotage, we would have been martyred,” the chief minister said.

    Speaking at the same program, he assured that the issues related to the rehabilitation of the people affected by the Koyna dam project will be resolved on a “war-footing”.

    The Dare village, where Shinde did his primary schooling before shifting to Thane, is among the ones affected by the Koyna irrigation and hydroelectric project, constructed in the 1960s.

    Decisions will also be taken to improve the connectivity between western Maharashtra and Konkan, the chief minister said.

  • Shiv Sena symbol war: Uddhav faction gets 15 more days to submit documents to EC

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission is learnt to have given the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena 15 more days to submit documents in support of its claim on the party’s election symbol.

    Last month, the Election Commission had asked the rival factions of the Shiv Sena, led by Thackeray and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims on the party’s election symbol — a “bow and arrow”.

    Following a request by the Thackeray faction, the EC has now asked it submit the documents by August 23, sources said.

    Responding to a question on the plea by the Thackeray faction to postpone hearing on the matter by four weeks, sources said at present the EC has only asked for documents and the hearing will come later.

    The poll body had asked the two factions to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislature and organisational wings of the Shiv Sena, and their written statements on the matter.

    Shinde and 39 other Shiv Sena legislators had revolted against the party leadership in June this year, leading to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

    The MVA dispensation consisted of the Shiv Sena, the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party.

    The Shinde camp joined hands with the BJP and formed the government in Maharashtra subsequently.

    Shinde took oath as chief minister on June 30 along with BJP leader and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

    Meanwhile, a delegation of the Uddhav faction on Thursday met Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar and asked him to include its MLAs in the House Business Advisory Committee (BAC).

    Sunil Prabhu, the chief whip appointed by Thackeray, said as the Thackeray-led party remains the original Sena, its representatives should be part of the BAC which decides the business of the House during a session.

    The party recommended that he (Prabhu) and Ajay Choudhary be included in the BAC, Prabhu added.

    Choudhary was appointed the leader of the Shiv Sena legislature party replacing Eknath Shinde after the latter rebelled and brought down the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government in June.

    The appointments of both Prabhu and Chaudhary were contested by the rebel camp led by Shinde who is now Maharashtra chief minister.

    The Shinde faction appointed Bharatshet Gogawale as the chief whip.

    Currently, the Shiv Sena is represented by rebel MLAs Uday Samant and Dada Bhuse in the BAC.

    “We met the speaker and asked him to appoint our representatives to the BAC. He said he will take a legal opinion and decide,” Prabhu said.

    Ajay Choudhary, who was also part of the delegation, said they told the speaker that the Supreme Court had not given any ruling as to who controls the Shiv Sena, hence the representatives of the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction should be part of the BAC.

    Of total 55 MLAs of the Shiv Sena, 40 MLAs are part of the Shinde faction.

    The monsoon session of the Assembly will be held from August 17 to 25.

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission is learnt to have given the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena 15 more days to submit documents in support of its claim on the party’s election symbol.

    Last month, the Election Commission had asked the rival factions of the Shiv Sena, led by Thackeray and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims on the party’s election symbol — a “bow and arrow”.

    Following a request by the Thackeray faction, the EC has now asked it submit the documents by August 23, sources said.

    Responding to a question on the plea by the Thackeray faction to postpone hearing on the matter by four weeks, sources said at present the EC has only asked for documents and the hearing will come later.

    The poll body had asked the two factions to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislature and organisational wings of the Shiv Sena, and their written statements on the matter.

    Shinde and 39 other Shiv Sena legislators had revolted against the party leadership in June this year, leading to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

    The MVA dispensation consisted of the Shiv Sena, the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party.

    The Shinde camp joined hands with the BJP and formed the government in Maharashtra subsequently.

    Shinde took oath as chief minister on June 30 along with BJP leader and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

    Meanwhile, a delegation of the Uddhav faction on Thursday met Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar and asked him to include its MLAs in the House Business Advisory Committee (BAC).

    Sunil Prabhu, the chief whip appointed by Thackeray, said as the Thackeray-led party remains the original Sena, its representatives should be part of the BAC which decides the business of the House during a session.

    The party recommended that he (Prabhu) and Ajay Choudhary be included in the BAC, Prabhu added.

    Choudhary was appointed the leader of the Shiv Sena legislature party replacing Eknath Shinde after the latter rebelled and brought down the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government in June.

    The appointments of both Prabhu and Chaudhary were contested by the rebel camp led by Shinde who is now Maharashtra chief minister.

    The Shinde faction appointed Bharatshet Gogawale as the chief whip.

    Currently, the Shiv Sena is represented by rebel MLAs Uday Samant and Dada Bhuse in the BAC.

    “We met the speaker and asked him to appoint our representatives to the BAC. He said he will take a legal opinion and decide,” Prabhu said.

    Ajay Choudhary, who was also part of the delegation, said they told the speaker that the Supreme Court had not given any ruling as to who controls the Shiv Sena, hence the representatives of the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction should be part of the BAC.

    Of total 55 MLAs of the Shiv Sena, 40 MLAs are part of the Shinde faction.

    The monsoon session of the Assembly will be held from August 17 to 25.

  • Thackeray loyalist Ambadas Danve named Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Council

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MLC Ambadas Danve, a member of the party faction led by Uddhav Thackeray, was on Tuesday appointed the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council.

    The appointment of Danve, a member of the Legislative Council since 2019, takes effect immediately, according to official notification.

    The move comes a day after Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray wrote to the Chairman of the Legislative Council nominating Danve as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), a Cabinet-rank post, in the Upper House of the state legislature.

    This is a rare case where the chief minister (Eknath Shinde) and the LoP in the Council belong to the same party (the Sena), though they are from different factions of the outfit.

    Last month, a delegation of Shiv Sena MLCs comprising Manisha Kayande, Sachin Ahir, Ambadas Danve, Vilas Potnis and Sunil Shinde met Neelam Gorhe, the Deputy Chairperson of the Council, and submitted a letter regarding the Leader of the Opposition and the chief whip.

    Gorhe said the Legislative Council had received a letter that the Leader of Opposition should be from the Shiv Sena as the party has numbers on its side in the Upper House.

    “The Shiv Sena in the Maharashtra Legislative Council has been recognised as the party in the Opposition to the Government in Maharashtra Legislative Council.

    Accordingly, Ambadas Eknathrao Danve, MLC, is recognised as Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council with effect from 9th August, 2022,” said a notification signed by Rajendra Bhagwat, Principal Secretary, Legislative Council.

    A Thackeray loyalist, Danve hails from Aurangabad, the central Maharashtra district which has four rebel Sena MLAs supporting Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

    The 78-member Legislative Council has 24 members from the BJP, 12 from the Shiv Sena and 10 each from the Congress and the NCP.

    The Lok Bharti, the Peasants and Workers Party of India and the Rashtriya Samaj Paksh have one member each besides four independents, while 15 seats are vacant.

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MLC Ambadas Danve, a member of the party faction led by Uddhav Thackeray, was on Tuesday appointed the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council.

    The appointment of Danve, a member of the Legislative Council since 2019, takes effect immediately, according to official notification.

    The move comes a day after Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray wrote to the Chairman of the Legislative Council nominating Danve as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), a Cabinet-rank post, in the Upper House of the state legislature.

    This is a rare case where the chief minister (Eknath Shinde) and the LoP in the Council belong to the same party (the Sena), though they are from different factions of the outfit.

    Last month, a delegation of Shiv Sena MLCs comprising Manisha Kayande, Sachin Ahir, Ambadas Danve, Vilas Potnis and Sunil Shinde met Neelam Gorhe, the Deputy Chairperson of the Council, and submitted a letter regarding the Leader of the Opposition and the chief whip.

    Gorhe said the Legislative Council had received a letter that the Leader of Opposition should be from the Shiv Sena as the party has numbers on its side in the Upper House.

    “The Shiv Sena in the Maharashtra Legislative Council has been recognised as the party in the Opposition to the Government in Maharashtra Legislative Council.

    Accordingly, Ambadas Eknathrao Danve, MLC, is recognised as Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council with effect from 9th August, 2022,” said a notification signed by Rajendra Bhagwat, Principal Secretary, Legislative Council.

    A Thackeray loyalist, Danve hails from Aurangabad, the central Maharashtra district which has four rebel Sena MLAs supporting Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

    The 78-member Legislative Council has 24 members from the BJP, 12 from the Shiv Sena and 10 each from the Congress and the NCP.

    The Lok Bharti, the Peasants and Workers Party of India and the Rashtriya Samaj Paksh have one member each besides four independents, while 15 seats are vacant.

  • Uddhav’s Dighe card to stem Shinde

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI:  Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has appointed the nephew of late Thane strongman Anand Dighe, Kedar, as the head of the Shiv Sena’s district unit to counter Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s influence and claim over the Dighe legacy.

    After parting ways with Uddhav, Shinde has claimed that he represents the real Shiv Sena. The CM has been using portraits of Balasaheb Thackeray and Anand Dighe in his office and on posters and banners.In his speeches too, Shinde seeks to convince people by saying he is the real heir to Balasaheb Thackeray and Dighe.

    By appointing 35-year-old Kedar Dighe as the Thane chief, Uddhav has shown that the real heir of Shinde’s mentor is with Shiv Sena. Dighe’s name carries a lot of political weight in Thane and its adjoining areas. Dighe died in a road accident in 2001. He had worked extensively to help Shiv Sena grow in the district. After his death, Shinde worked for the Sena in Thane and Palghar areas.

    Kedar Dighe (left) with Uddhav Thackeray (Photo | Twitter)Uddhav has also made Anita Birje as his deputy. She is a veteran Sainik and has not allowed Shinde to enter the Sena shakha in Thane. She has also worked with Anand Dighe. Kedar said his uncle always remained loyal to the Sena. “Shiv Sena has a long history of struggle. The Shiv Sainik is ready to bounce back with vigor. I will work hard and bring glorious days back to Sena. The exit of Shinde will not have much impact,” Kedar said.

    Anand Dighe was a charismatic leader in Thane. Shinde often invokes Dighe’s legacy to justify his revolt against Thackeray. By fielding Dighe’s nephew opposite Shinde on the latter’s home turf, Thackeray has tried to counter the narrative of the CM. Though Kedar is a political novice and has never played significant role in Shiv Sena so far, the Sena leadership wants to use him in the battle of perception with Shinde who is posing himself as a common worker fighting against Uddhav who is at the helm because of his relation to the founder.

    A skilled organiser, Dighe built the Shiv Sena organisation in Thane in 1980s and ’90s and dominated the politics of the district till he died. He encouraged a number of party workers from working-class or middle-class backgrounds, groomed them and built a strong second-rung leadership.

    Shinde was one of them. Dighe died in an accident as his vehicle crashed with a truck coming from another direction in 2001. His following among the Sena workers was such that when he passed away while being treated at Singhania Hospital in Thane, top Sena leaders including Uddhav had to be moved out of Thane to prevent any untoward incident as the irate workers went berserk. 

    The tussle for thane

    By appointing 35-year-old Kedar Dighe as Thane Shiv Sena chief, party president Uddhav Thackeray has tried to show that the real heir of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s mentor, Anand Dighe, is with the Sena. The Dighe surname carries a lot of political weight in Thane and its adjoining areas. Anand Dighe, who had died in a road accident in 2001, had worked extensively to help the party grow in Thane district. After his death, Shinde worked for the Sena in Thane district and Palghar area. The party faced a huge vacuum in the region after Shinde’s exit.

    MUMBAI:  Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has appointed the nephew of late Thane strongman Anand Dighe, Kedar, as the head of the Shiv Sena’s district unit to counter Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s influence and claim over the Dighe legacy.

    After parting ways with Uddhav, Shinde has claimed that he represents the real Shiv Sena. The CM has been using portraits of Balasaheb Thackeray and Anand Dighe in his office and on posters and banners.
    In his speeches too, Shinde seeks to convince people by saying he is the real heir to Balasaheb Thackeray and Dighe.

    By appointing 35-year-old Kedar Dighe as the Thane chief, Uddhav has shown that the real heir of Shinde’s mentor is with Shiv Sena. Dighe’s name carries a lot of political weight in Thane and its adjoining areas. Dighe died in a road accident in 2001. He had worked extensively to help Shiv Sena grow in the district. After his death, Shinde worked for the Sena in Thane and Palghar areas.

    Kedar Dighe (left) with Uddhav Thackeray (Photo | Twitter)Uddhav has also made Anita Birje as his deputy. She is a veteran Sainik and has not allowed Shinde to enter the Sena shakha in Thane. She has also worked with Anand Dighe. Kedar said his uncle always remained loyal to the Sena. “Shiv Sena has a long history of struggle. The Shiv Sainik is ready to bounce back with vigor. I will work hard and bring glorious days back to Sena. The exit of Shinde will not have much impact,” Kedar said.

    Anand Dighe was a charismatic leader in Thane. Shinde often invokes Dighe’s legacy to justify his revolt against Thackeray. By fielding Dighe’s nephew opposite Shinde on the latter’s home turf, Thackeray has tried to counter the narrative of the CM. Though Kedar is a political novice and has never played significant role in Shiv Sena so far, the Sena leadership wants to use him in the battle of perception with Shinde who is posing himself as a common worker fighting against Uddhav who is at the helm because of his relation to the founder.

    A skilled organiser, Dighe built the Shiv Sena organisation in Thane in 1980s and ’90s and dominated the politics of the district till he died. He encouraged a number of party workers from working-class or middle-class backgrounds, groomed them and built a strong second-rung leadership.

    Shinde was one of them. Dighe died in an accident as his vehicle crashed with a truck coming from another direction in 2001. His following among the Sena workers was such that when he passed away while being treated at Singhania Hospital in Thane, top Sena leaders including Uddhav had to be moved out of Thane to prevent any untoward incident as the irate workers went berserk. 

    The tussle for thane

    By appointing 35-year-old Kedar Dighe as Thane Shiv Sena chief, party president Uddhav Thackeray has tried to show that the real heir of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s mentor, Anand Dighe, is with the Sena. The Dighe surname carries a lot of political weight in Thane and its adjoining areas. Anand Dighe, who had died in a road accident in 2001, had worked extensively to help the party grow in Thane district. After his death, Shinde worked for the Sena in Thane district and Palghar area. The party faced a huge vacuum in the region after Shinde’s exit.

  • Uddhav Thackeray meets, comforts Sanjay Raut’s family

    By IANS

    MUMBAI: In a warm gesture, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray called on the family of party MP Sanjay Raut and offered solace to them, here on Monday.

    Thackeray, accompanied by Lok Sabha MP Arvind Sawant and other senior party leaders met Raut’s aged mother, wife Varsha, daughter and other family members at their home in ‘Maitri’ bungalow in Bhandup.

    Raut’s mother became emotional and held onto Thackeray, expressing silent concerns for her son who was arrested by the ED early this morning in an alleged money-laundering case arising out of the Patra Chawl, Goregaon, land scam.

    Thackeray spoke with Raut’s mother, wife and his daughter, who were rendered speechless as he was whisked off in detention by the ED and police teams on Sunday evening, and attempted to offer solace to them after the sudden developments since Sunday dawn.

    READ HERE | Sena’s Sanjay Raut sent to 4-day ED custody in Patra Chawl land scam case; all you need to know

    On Sunday morning, an ED team raided the Raut household and questioned the MP for over nine hours.

    Then he was detained and taken to the ED office where he was grilled for another over seven hours and finally arrested on Monday morning.

    We have to wipe out whoever speaks against us – a vendetta politics with such a mindset is going on: Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena chief after meeting the family of Sanjay Raut, in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/Cr64WIiuBr
    — ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2022
    The arrest has been strongly condemned by the Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party, Congress and other opposition leaders.

    However, the Shiv Sena breakaway faction leader and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, commenting on the arrest said “the daily morning loudspeaker falls silent”, a reference to Raut’s fiery media briefings either in Mumbai or New Delhi.

    MUMBAI: In a warm gesture, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray called on the family of party MP Sanjay Raut and offered solace to them, here on Monday.

    Thackeray, accompanied by Lok Sabha MP Arvind Sawant and other senior party leaders met Raut’s aged mother, wife Varsha, daughter and other family members at their home in ‘Maitri’ bungalow in Bhandup.

    Raut’s mother became emotional and held onto Thackeray, expressing silent concerns for her son who was arrested by the ED early this morning in an alleged money-laundering case arising out of the Patra Chawl, Goregaon, land scam.

    Thackeray spoke with Raut’s mother, wife and his daughter, who were rendered speechless as he was whisked off in detention by the ED and police teams on Sunday evening, and attempted to offer solace to them after the sudden developments since Sunday dawn.

    READ HERE | Sena’s Sanjay Raut sent to 4-day ED custody in Patra Chawl land scam case; all you need to know

    On Sunday morning, an ED team raided the Raut household and questioned the MP for over nine hours.

    Then he was detained and taken to the ED office where he was grilled for another over seven hours and finally arrested on Monday morning.

    We have to wipe out whoever speaks against us – a vendetta politics with such a mindset is going on: Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena chief after meeting the family of Sanjay Raut, in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/Cr64WIiuBr
    — ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2022
    The arrest has been strongly condemned by the Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party, Congress and other opposition leaders.

    However, the Shiv Sena breakaway faction leader and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, commenting on the arrest said “the daily morning loudspeaker falls silent”, a reference to Raut’s fiery media briefings either in Mumbai or New Delhi.

  • Sena’s Sanjay Raut taken to court in Rs 1,034-crore Patra Chawl land scam case; all you need to know

    By Online Desk

    Shiv Sena leader and four-time Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday around 12 am, has been produced before a Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, where ED cases are usually heard.

    The 18-hour dramatic series of events started with a raid by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Raut’s home at dawn in Mumbai’s Bhandup area on Sunday, where they conducted a search, questioned Raut, and by evening, summoned him for questioning at the agency’s local office.

    The team also seized Rs 11.5 lakh in cash during the search, officials said.

    Raut, 60, was taken into custody by the ED but was not arrested. He spent the night at the ED’s zonal office in south Mumbai’s Ballard Estate.

    He was taken into custody at 12:05 am on Monday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as he was not cooperating in the probe, officials claimed.

    The ED had sent several summons to the Sena leader which he skipped, following which he has been arrested. Earlier, a month back he had even dared the ED to arrest him.

    I am being victimised: Raut
    The Shiv Sena leader earlier took to Twitter to allege that he was being victimised on the instructions of the Centre.

    Shiv Sena firmly behind us: MP’s brother Sunil Raut
    Sanjay Raut’s brother and Shiv Sena MLA Sunil Raut said that with the arrest, the BJP is trying to muzzle the voice of Shiv Sena.

    “We are not scared by all this bogus actions… Raut saheb will fight, we all shall fight… the Shiv Sena will fight but will not now before the BJP, Sanjay Raut will never leave the Sena,” he said.

    He said Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena stands firmly behind the Raut family.

    “The Shiv Sena and Uddhav ji stand solidly behind us. Our legal fight (over Sanjay Raut’s arrest) has begun,” the Shiv Sena MLA from Vikhroli told PTI.

    The ED probe pertains to alleged financial irregularities in the redevelopment of Patra ‘chawl’ and related financial property transactions involving his wife and alleged associates.

    In April, the ED provisionally attached assets worth over Rs 11.15 crore belonging to Sanjay Raut’s wife Varsha Raut and two of his associates as part of this investigation.

    The attached properties are in the form of land held by Pravin M Raut, Sanjay Raut’s aide and a former director of Guru Ashish Construction Pvt Ltd, at Palghar, Saphale (a town in Palghar) and Padgha (in Thane district).

    These assets also include a flat in Mumbai’s suburb Dadar held by Varsha Raut and eight plots at Kihim beach in Alibaug jointly held by Varsha Raut and Swapna Patkar, wife of Sujit Patkar, a “close associate” of Sanjay Raut, the ED had said.

    The ED came to know during the probe that Pravin allegedly paid Rs 55 lakh to Varsha. This was paid from the bank account of Pravin’s wife.

    The money was termed as proceeds of crime by the ED.

    It was also alleged that the travel expenses of Sanjay Raut were borne by Pravin which included his hotel stay and air tickets.

    The ED had earlier sent Pune businessman Avinash Bhosale into custody in the DHFL-Yes Bank case, and the sources claimed that they wanted to grill Raut in this matter too.

    Sources claimed that the Patra Chawl case of ED is also linked to the DHFL case.

    Security personnel stand guard at the residence of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut during a raid by by ED officials, in Mumbai. (Photo | PTI)

    Who is Raut?

    Raut is a close aide of Shiv Sena President and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, plus the Chief Spokesperson of Shiv Sena and executive editor of the SAAMANA Group of newspapers.

    Over the years, Raut became one of the most virulent critics of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) besides rallying together the various state and national Opposition parties.

    He had gone under the scanner of ED since the time he played a crucial role in the formation of the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi government which fell on June 29 after 31 months in power.

    (With inputs from PTI, ANI, IANS, and Express News Service)

    Shiv Sena leader and four-time Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday around 12 am, has been produced before a Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, where ED cases are usually heard.

    The 18-hour dramatic series of events started with a raid by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Raut’s home at dawn in Mumbai’s Bhandup area on Sunday, where they conducted a search, questioned Raut, and by evening, summoned him for questioning at the agency’s local office.

    The team also seized Rs 11.5 lakh in cash during the search, officials said.

    Raut, 60, was taken into custody by the ED but was not arrested. He spent the night at the ED’s zonal office in south Mumbai’s Ballard Estate.

    He was taken into custody at 12:05 am on Monday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as he was not cooperating in the probe, officials claimed.

    The ED had sent several summons to the Sena leader which he skipped, following which he has been arrested. Earlier, a month back he had even dared the ED to arrest him.

    I am being victimised: Raut
    The Shiv Sena leader earlier took to Twitter to allege that he was being victimised on the instructions of the Centre.

    Shiv Sena firmly behind us: MP’s brother Sunil Raut
    Sanjay Raut’s brother and Shiv Sena MLA Sunil Raut said that with the arrest, the BJP is trying to muzzle the voice of Shiv Sena.

    “We are not scared by all this bogus actions… Raut saheb will fight, we all shall fight… the Shiv Sena will fight but will not now before the BJP, Sanjay Raut will never leave the Sena,” he said.

    He said Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena stands firmly behind the Raut family.

    “The Shiv Sena and Uddhav ji stand solidly behind us. Our legal fight (over Sanjay Raut’s arrest) has begun,” the Shiv Sena MLA from Vikhroli told PTI.

    What is the case about?
    The ED probe pertains to alleged financial irregularities in the redevelopment of Patra ‘chawl’ and related financial property transactions involving his wife and alleged associates.

    In April, the ED provisionally attached assets worth over Rs 11.15 crore belonging to Sanjay Raut’s wife Varsha Raut and two of his associates as part of this investigation.

    The attached properties are in the form of land held by Pravin M Raut, Sanjay Raut’s aide and a former director of Guru Ashish Construction Pvt Ltd, at Palghar, Saphale (a town in Palghar) and Padgha (in Thane district).

    These assets also include a flat in Mumbai’s suburb Dadar held by Varsha Raut and eight plots at Kihim beach in Alibaug jointly held by Varsha Raut and Swapna Patkar, wife of Sujit Patkar, a “close associate” of Sanjay Raut, the ED had said.

    The ED came to know during the probe that Pravin allegedly paid Rs 55 lakh to Varsha. This was paid from the bank account of Pravin’s wife.

    The money was termed as proceeds of crime by the ED.

    It was also alleged that the travel expenses of Sanjay Raut were borne by Pravin which included his hotel stay and air tickets.

    The ED had earlier sent Pune businessman Avinash Bhosale into custody in the DHFL-Yes Bank case, and the sources claimed that they wanted to grill Raut in this matter too.

    Sources claimed that the Patra Chawl case of ED is also linked to the DHFL case.

    Security personnel stand guard at the residence of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut during a raid by by ED officials, in Mumbai. (Photo | PTI)

    Who is Raut?

    Raut is a close aide of Shiv Sena President and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, plus the Chief Spokesperson of Shiv Sena and executive editor of the SAAMANA Group of newspapers.

    Over the years, Raut became one of the most virulent critics of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) besides rallying together the various state and national Opposition parties.

    He had gone under the scanner of ED since the time he played a crucial role in the formation of the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi government which fell on June 29 after 31 months in power.

    (With inputs from PTI, ANI, IANS, and Express News Service)

  • Issue of sharing CM’s post with BJP could have been resolved through talks in 2019:  Shinde’s veiled swipe at Uddhav 

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday launched a veiled attack on Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, saying the issue of sharing the post of chief minister with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the 2019 polls could have been resolved through talks.

    Addressing a rally in Aurangabad district, Shinde said some people took an “adamant stand” after the polls which implied that they didn’t want to form a government with the BJP despite both the parties winning the mandate of the people and resolving the issue of the post of the CM.

    “Some people said Shiv Sena should get the post of the chief minister for the first 2.5 years. (And if this condition is agreed to) then only talks between the two parties (read Sena and BJP) for forming a government could proceed, ” Shinde said without naming Thackeray.

    He said this adamant stand meant there was no will to form a government with BJP though the two parties had fought the assembly elections together and won a popular mandate.

    “Soon after the poll results, some people started discussing different options. MLAs of Shiv Sena were not in favour of an alliance with the Congress and NCP,” said Shinde.

    Thackeray had broken the alliance with BJP after the 2019 polls claiming that the ally reneged on its promise of sharing the CM’s post, a contention denied by the BJP.

    ALSO READ | ED detains Sena’s Sanjay Raut in Patra Chawl land scam case after day-long raids

    The Sena then joined hands with the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress to form a tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in November 2019 with Thackeray taking oath as the chief minister.

    Shinde said the BJP had honoured the commitment of making Nitish Kumar the chief minister of Bihar despite the saffron party winning more seats than the JD(U).

    Shinde, a veteran shivsainik and former minister in the Thackeray cabinet, rebelled with 40 MLAs of Sena in June, leading to the collapse of the MVA government. He took oath as the chief minister on June 30 with Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP as the deputy CM.

    Shinde said the BJP could have taken the chief minister’s post in the present government led by him.

    “I was told by BJP leadership that despite that party having more MLAs than the Shinde faction, it has agreed to make him the chief minister. Had we (apparently referring to BJP) made any commitment in 2019, we would have honoured it. Now you tell me, who is speaking the truth,” Shinde asked.

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday launched a veiled attack on Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, saying the issue of sharing the post of chief minister with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the 2019 polls could have been resolved through talks.

    Addressing a rally in Aurangabad district, Shinde said some people took an “adamant stand” after the polls which implied that they didn’t want to form a government with the BJP despite both the parties winning the mandate of the people and resolving the issue of the post of the CM.

    “Some people said Shiv Sena should get the post of the chief minister for the first 2.5 years. (And if this condition is agreed to) then only talks between the two parties (read Sena and BJP) for forming a government could proceed, ” Shinde said without naming Thackeray.

    He said this adamant stand meant there was no will to form a government with BJP though the two parties had fought the assembly elections together and won a popular mandate.

    “Soon after the poll results, some people started discussing different options. MLAs of Shiv Sena were not in favour of an alliance with the Congress and NCP,” said Shinde.

    Thackeray had broken the alliance with BJP after the 2019 polls claiming that the ally reneged on its promise of sharing the CM’s post, a contention denied by the BJP.

    ALSO READ | ED detains Sena’s Sanjay Raut in Patra Chawl land scam case after day-long raids

    The Sena then joined hands with the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress to form a tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in November 2019 with Thackeray taking oath as the chief minister.

    Shinde said the BJP had honoured the commitment of making Nitish Kumar the chief minister of Bihar despite the saffron party winning more seats than the JD(U).

    Shinde, a veteran shivsainik and former minister in the Thackeray cabinet, rebelled with 40 MLAs of Sena in June, leading to the collapse of the MVA government. He took oath as the chief minister on June 30 with Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP as the deputy CM.

    Shinde said the BJP could have taken the chief minister’s post in the present government led by him.

    “I was told by BJP leadership that despite that party having more MLAs than the Shinde faction, it has agreed to make him the chief minister. Had we (apparently referring to BJP) made any commitment in 2019, we would have honoured it. Now you tell me, who is speaking the truth,” Shinde asked.

  • Issue of sharing CM’s post with BJP could have been resolved through talks in 2019: Shinde’s veiled swipe at Uddhav 

    Eknath Shinde said the BJP could have taken the chief minister's post in the present government led by him. He took oath as the chief minister on June 30.

  • ED may arrest Raut: Uddhav tells Sena workers; calls it ‘conspiracy’ to finish off party

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) may arrest party leader Sanjay Raut, and alleged that the agency’s ongoing action against him was part of a “conspiracy” to finish off the party.

    Thackeray was addressing the party leaders and workers from Thane district at his residence ‘Matoshree’ here on the day the ED is conducting searches at Raut’s house in connection with a money laundering probe.

    “ED guests are at Sanjay Raut’s house. He may get arrested. What conspiracy is this? Shiv Sena gives strength to Hindus and Marathi people and hence there is a conspiracy to finish off the party,” he said.

    Thackeray said people whom Shiv Sena helped to grow politically are now switching loyalty.

    “Arjun Khotkar (former minister who joined the rebel camp) at least admitted that he was revolting under pressure. (Late Sena leader) Anand Dighe showed Shiv Sainiks what loyalty is when he was jailed for two years,” he said. Thackeray said Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari insulted Marathi and Maharashtra through his remarks on Mumbai. “He has to be shown Kolhapuri chappals,” he said.

    READ HERE | ‘No one can insult Mumbai, Marathi folk’: Shinde on Governor’s remark; Uddhav demands apology

    Koshyari had said on Friday evening that if Gujaratis and Rajasthanis are not there, Mumbai’s flow of money would dry up and it would cease to remain the financial capital of India.

    “What was the reaction of those who have become slaves. It was very mild. Just said we don’t agree,” he said in a veiled reference to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who led the rebellion against the party.

    “The Chief Justice of India has also said the opposition should not be considered enemies. But when we were allies, we were considered as enemies,” Thackeray said without naming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    He said the party needs workers who are fearless and committed to fight injustice.

    ALSO READ | ED detains Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in Patra Chawl land scam case

    Shiv Sena workers from Thane under the leadership of party MP Rajan Vichare called on Thackeray to pledge their support to him.

    Talking to reporters, Vichare said, “We came to assure Uddhavji that we are with him. Shiv Sena got its first taste of power when it won the Thane civic polls. Thane will continue to be solidly behind Uddhavji.”

    Dighe’s nephew Kedar Dighe and Anita Birje, Thane district’s first woman Shiv Sainik, also met Thackeray along with Vichare and others.

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) may arrest party leader Sanjay Raut, and alleged that the agency’s ongoing action against him was part of a “conspiracy” to finish off the party.

    Thackeray was addressing the party leaders and workers from Thane district at his residence ‘Matoshree’ here on the day the ED is conducting searches at Raut’s house in connection with a money laundering probe.

    “ED guests are at Sanjay Raut’s house. He may get arrested. What conspiracy is this? Shiv Sena gives strength to Hindus and Marathi people and hence there is a conspiracy to finish off the party,” he said.

    Thackeray said people whom Shiv Sena helped to grow politically are now switching loyalty.

    “Arjun Khotkar (former minister who joined the rebel camp) at least admitted that he was revolting under pressure. (Late Sena leader) Anand Dighe showed Shiv Sainiks what loyalty is when he was jailed for two years,” he said. Thackeray said Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari insulted Marathi and Maharashtra through his remarks on Mumbai. “He has to be shown Kolhapuri chappals,” he said.

    READ HERE | ‘No one can insult Mumbai, Marathi folk’: Shinde on Governor’s remark; Uddhav demands apology

    Koshyari had said on Friday evening that if Gujaratis and Rajasthanis are not there, Mumbai’s flow of money would dry up and it would cease to remain the financial capital of India.

    “What was the reaction of those who have become slaves. It was very mild. Just said we don’t agree,” he said in a veiled reference to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who led the rebellion against the party.

    “The Chief Justice of India has also said the opposition should not be considered enemies. But when we were allies, we were considered as enemies,” Thackeray said without naming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    He said the party needs workers who are fearless and committed to fight injustice.

    ALSO READ | ED detains Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in Patra Chawl land scam case

    Shiv Sena workers from Thane under the leadership of party MP Rajan Vichare called on Thackeray to pledge their support to him.

    Talking to reporters, Vichare said, “We came to assure Uddhavji that we are with him. Shiv Sena got its first taste of power when it won the Thane civic polls. Thane will continue to be solidly behind Uddhavji.”

    Dighe’s nephew Kedar Dighe and Anita Birje, Thane district’s first woman Shiv Sainik, also met Thackeray along with Vichare and others.

  • No one can insult Mumbai, Marathi folk: Shinde on Governor’s remark; Uddhav demands apology

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s comments that “Mumbai will have no money” if the Gujaratis and Rajasthanis were to leave triggered a massive controversy on Saturday, forcing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to state that he disagreed with the governor.

    As Opposition leaders slammed Koshyari and sought apology from him, the governor said his comments were misconstrued.

    Koshyari made the controversial comments during a function to name a chowk (intersection) in suburban Andheri on Friday evening.

    ”I tell people here that if Gujaratis and Rajasthanis are removed from Maharashtra, especially from Mumbai and Thane, you will be left with no money and Mumbai will not be a financial capital,” he said.

    As the comments drew widespread condemnation, Koshyari said on Saturday that the statement was misconstrued, and asked political parties not to create a controversy.

    There was no question of belittling the contribution of Marathi-speaking people and “lauding one community does not mean insulting another,” he said.

    Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray demanded an apology from Koshyari.

    The former chief minister, whose relations with Koshyari were often strained while in office, accused the governor of “dividing” Hindus living in Mumbai and Thane.

    Holding a press conference, Thackeray said, “The hatred that the governor harbours in his mind against the Marathi people has inadvertently come out.

    “Time has come to decide whether to send Koshyari back home or to jail. In the last three years, he has insulted Marathi-speaking people despite staying in Maharashtra. Now with these comments, he has brought disrespect to the governor’s post,” the Sena president said.

    Amid the backlash, Chief Minister Shinde, leader of the rebel Shiv Sena faction, said he disagreed with Koshyari’s remarks.

    Talking to reporters at Malegaon, Shinde said, “We don’t agree with Koshyari’s remarks. It’s his personal view. He has now issued a clarification. He occupies a constitutional post and should take care that his actions do not insult others. The Marathi community’s hard work has contributed to the development and progress of Mumbai. No one can insult Mumbai and Marathi people,” he added.

    Speaking in Dhule, Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said Marathi-speaking people played a major role in the development and growth of Maharashtra.

    “Even in the industrial sector, Marathi-speaking people have made global strides. We don’t agree with the governor’s remarks,” the former chief minister said.

    ALSO READ | Amid faction war with Uddhav, Eknath Shinde meets senior Shiv Sena leaders, triggers buzz

    State NCP president Jayant Patil said it was unfortunate that the governor has “scant respect for the Marathi-speaking working class due to whose hard work Mumbai progressed and developed.”

    Koshyari doubted Marathi people’s capability to create wealth and this was an insult to Maharashtra, he said.

    State Congress chief Nana Patole said Koshyari’s remarks were outrageous and he had always “insulted Maharashtra through his actions and words.”

    “The Centre should seek Koshyari’s resignation and send him to Gujarat or Rajasthan,” he said.

    Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ajit Pawar said the governor shouldn’t create unnecessary controversies.

    ALSO READ | Supriya Sule criticises Governor Koshyari for ‘divisive’ remark

    Marathi-speaking people were instrumental in creating the state of Maharashtra with Mumbai as its capital and nation-building was not possible without Maharashtra, the NCP leader said.

    Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut tweeted that the governor wanted to imply that Marathi people and Maharashtra were “beggars.”

    Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray said Koshyari should not make such statements if he was not aware of Maharashtra’s history.

    Outsiders come to the state and start businesses here because Marathi speakers created a conducive atmosphere in the state, Raj said, adding that the governor should not provoke Marathi people.

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s comments that “Mumbai will have no money” if the Gujaratis and Rajasthanis were to leave triggered a massive controversy on Saturday, forcing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to state that he disagreed with the governor.

    As Opposition leaders slammed Koshyari and sought apology from him, the governor said his comments were misconstrued.

    Koshyari made the controversial comments during a function to name a chowk (intersection) in suburban Andheri on Friday evening.

    ”I tell people here that if Gujaratis and Rajasthanis are removed from Maharashtra, especially from Mumbai and Thane, you will be left with no money and Mumbai will not be a financial capital,” he said.

    As the comments drew widespread condemnation, Koshyari said on Saturday that the statement was misconstrued, and asked political parties not to create a controversy.

    There was no question of belittling the contribution of Marathi-speaking people and “lauding one community does not mean insulting another,” he said.

    Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray demanded an apology from Koshyari.

    The former chief minister, whose relations with Koshyari were often strained while in office, accused the governor of “dividing” Hindus living in Mumbai and Thane.

    Holding a press conference, Thackeray said, “The hatred that the governor harbours in his mind against the Marathi people has inadvertently come out.

    “Time has come to decide whether to send Koshyari back home or to jail. In the last three years, he has insulted Marathi-speaking people despite staying in Maharashtra. Now with these comments, he has brought disrespect to the governor’s post,” the Sena president said.

    Amid the backlash, Chief Minister Shinde, leader of the rebel Shiv Sena faction, said he disagreed with Koshyari’s remarks.

    Talking to reporters at Malegaon, Shinde said, “We don’t agree with Koshyari’s remarks. It’s his personal view. He has now issued a clarification. He occupies a constitutional post and should take care that his actions do not insult others. The Marathi community’s hard work has contributed to the development and progress of Mumbai. No one can insult Mumbai and Marathi people,” he added.

    Speaking in Dhule, Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said Marathi-speaking people played a major role in the development and growth of Maharashtra.

    “Even in the industrial sector, Marathi-speaking people have made global strides. We don’t agree with the governor’s remarks,” the former chief minister said.

    ALSO READ | Amid faction war with Uddhav, Eknath Shinde meets senior Shiv Sena leaders, triggers buzz

    State NCP president Jayant Patil said it was unfortunate that the governor has “scant respect for the Marathi-speaking working class due to whose hard work Mumbai progressed and developed.”

    Koshyari doubted Marathi people’s capability to create wealth and this was an insult to Maharashtra, he said.

    State Congress chief Nana Patole said Koshyari’s remarks were outrageous and he had always “insulted Maharashtra through his actions and words.”

    “The Centre should seek Koshyari’s resignation and send him to Gujarat or Rajasthan,” he said.

    Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ajit Pawar said the governor shouldn’t create unnecessary controversies.

    ALSO READ | Supriya Sule criticises Governor Koshyari for ‘divisive’ remark

    Marathi-speaking people were instrumental in creating the state of Maharashtra with Mumbai as its capital and nation-building was not possible without Maharashtra, the NCP leader said.

    Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut tweeted that the governor wanted to imply that Marathi people and Maharashtra were “beggars.”

    Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray said Koshyari should not make such statements if he was not aware of Maharashtra’s history.

    Outsiders come to the state and start businesses here because Marathi speakers created a conducive atmosphere in the state, Raj said, adding that the governor should not provoke Marathi people.