24 June,2026 01:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sanjay Raut. File Pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday launched a fresh attack on six party MPs who recently joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, describing them as "traitors" and calling for a political fight against those who had abandoned the party.
Raut's remarks came days after six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs formally crossed over to the ruling Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, dealing a significant setback to the Uddhav Thackeray-led camp.
The defections have intensified the political battle between the rival Sena factions, both of which continue to claim the legacy of party founder Balasaheb Thackeray.
In a post on X, Raut shared a photograph of himself holding a gun and accompanied it with a strongly worded message directed at political opponents.
"Na thake kabhi pair, Na kabhi himmat haari hai. Ladna hai Maharashtra ke gaddaron ke khilaaf, Hausla hai buland, Safar jaari hai! Jai Maharashtra, Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji! (Never have the feet ever tired, Never has courage ever been lost.. We must fight against the traitors of Maharashtra, the spirit is soaring high, the journey continues! Jai Maharashtra Jai Bhavani Jai Shivaji!)."
The post quickly drew attention on social media as political tensions continued to rise following the latest defections from the Shiv Sena (UBT).
The latest development follows the formal induction of six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs into the Shinde faction on Monday.
The MPs who switched sides are Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure, Omprakash Bhupalsingh Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh and Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar.
Their entry into the ruling camp has been described by Shiv Sena leaders as the success of "Operation Tiger", a move that has further widened the divide between the two factions.
The rebel MPs have cited a lack of resources and organisational support as reasons for leaving the Uddhav Thackeray-led party and joining the Shinde camp.
Raut also questioned whether financial incentives played a role in the defections.
In another post on X, he wrote, "85 crores! The price of this Member of Parliament! Loot the public's wealth! Who is paying lakhs of rupees for the charter plane?"
While Raut raised allegations regarding money and resources being used to facilitate the political shift, no evidence was provided publicly to support the claims.
The remarks are likely to add to the ongoing political controversy surrounding the defections.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray also stepped up his criticism of Eknath Shinde. During recent public appearances, he repeatedly referred to the Deputy Chief Minister as "Fakenath Minde", continuing a line of attack that he has used on multiple occasions.
The comments reflect the increasingly aggressive rhetoric being employed by leaders of both factions as they seek to consolidate support ahead of future political contests.
Responding to Raut's criticism, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske defended the defections and credited Eknath Shinde's leadership for attracting support from elected representatives.
"It is the result of Eknath Shinde's hard work and the people's faith in his leadership. The party is moving forward under his guidance, and that very trust is drawing people to us...Six MPs have already joined, and the remaining will also come over to us. I say this with full confidence because of the decline of the UBT faction."
Mhaske also launched a personal attack on Raut, accusing him of contributing to the weakening of the Shiv Sena (UBT).
"Sanjay Raut is trying to take control of the party. Party workers, office bearers, and public representatives are frustrated by this kind of behaviour. His mental state has deteriorated. Given the party's decline and considering that elected representatives reach their positions through hard work, if they receive no support from the party, they will naturally seek a different path."
The exchange of accusations highlights the deepening political rivalry between the Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde camps following one of the biggest defections from the Shiv Sena (UBT) in recent months.
