Sanjay Raut questions Shiv Sena's leadership on Shinde's Delhi visit, says ' his party's high command' not in Mumbai

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. PIC/ SCREENGRAB

Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday questioned the leadership on rival faction's following the visit of Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to Delhi.

Raut said that the "high command" of his party is not based in Mumbai.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) MP further alleged that although the faction continues to use the name ‘Shiv Sena', its leadership lies elsewhere, taking a swipe at the party's autonomy.

Sanjay Raut targets ECI ahead of poll schedule announcement for four states

Last week, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) ahead of the announcement of the poll schedule for four states, including Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and West Bengal.

Raut alleged that the poll body functions as an "extended branch" of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Sanjay Raut said that he had little faith in the independence of the poll body.

Raut made the comments ahead of the expected announcement of Assembly election dates in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Assam, along with the Union Territory of Puducherry.

He sarcastically remarked that the Election Commission's press conference might as well be held at the BJP office, suggesting that the Commission works in favour of the ruling party.

"We do not trust this Election Commission. These are people who work for the BJP," Sanjay Raut said during the interaction with reporters.

Poll schedule

The ECI last week announced the schedule for the upcoming Assembly elections in Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry, with polling set to begin on April 9.

As per the schedule, voting in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will be held in a single phase on April 9. Tamil Nadu will also vote in a single phase on April 23. West Bengal will go to polls in two phases, with the first phase scheduled for April 23 and the second phase on April 29.

Counting of votes for all four states and the Union Territory will be held on May 4.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar described the elections as a "festival of pride" and urged first-time voters to participate actively in the democratic process.

(With IANS inputs)