New Delhi [India], June 17 : Amid speculation over a possible rift in Shiv Sena (UBT), party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday hurled abuses at party rebel MPs, asking the media not to cut out his comments.
Addressing the press conferences along with party MPs Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai in the national capital, Raut warned that the people of Maharashtra will not remain silent on this trustless act.
He also warned the rebels and said those wishing to leave the party should first "resign from their posts" and face the people again.
"If anyone wants to go, they can resign and leave. If such reports emerge about our MPs, then they should refute them. This time, the people of Maharashtra will not remain silent," Raut told reporters in Delhi.
Soon after his offensive remarks at suspected rebel MPs, party MP Anil Desai backed the Rajya Sabha MP Raut and said that whatever is said in the press conferences is slang, it is not meant for anyone in particular.
He added, "Whatever is said, these are slang; it is not meant for anyone particularly. When an emotionally sensitive person, who has spent 50 years of his life in politics in the public sphere, speaks, such things happen. He also clarified that he wasn't addressing any particular person."
Raut said the party leadership had worked tirelessly to ensure the victory of its MPs and warned of strict action if any lawmaker defected. "Our MPs, for whom Uddhav ji and we shed blood and sweat, gave money, made them win elections... still if such news comes, we will not spare them," he said.
Raut also levelled serious allegations, claiming that money had been offered to party MPs in an attempt to engineer a split.
"I have information that Rs 15 crore each was delivered to the MPs, after which they boarded charter flights from three places, including Nanded and Pune. We have issued a whip for the Parliamentary Party Meeting tomorrow. Arvind ji has written to the Lok Sabha Speaker," he said.
The remarks come amid intense political speculation in Maharashtra over reports of a possible split within Shiv Sena (UBT). However, there has been no official confirmation from the party regarding any breakaway faction.
Maharashtra is currently witnessing "Operation Tiger" buzz amid speculation that seven of the nine UBT MPs were in touch with Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and are looking to join the ruling party. Back in 2022, Shinde, along with several MLAs, broke away from Uddhav Thackeray, splitting the party into two.
Raut questioned the intentions of those allegedly planning to leave the party and said elected representatives owed their mandate to Shiv Sena (UBT) and its supporters.
"What kind of drama have you created. Whoever wants to go... resign and leave, our people have elected you as MPs... you have come here after getting elected on our ticket," he said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader asserted that the party would continue to fight politically against any attempts to weaken it by the ruling party under 'Operation Tiger'. "We will stay in Delhi and will remain in Delhi to fight against it," he added.
Emphasising his loyalty to the party, Raut said, "Shiv Sena (UBT) is our mother, and they have sworn on their loved ones.... if they will do such a thing to us... this will not be tolerated."
Further, Shiv Sena (UBT)'s six Members of Parliament (MPs) are likely to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at 11 am on Wednesday.
A meeting of all the Lok Sabha members of Shiv Sena (UBT) will be held on June 18, at 11:00 am, at the Parliamentary Party Office in Delhi.