Sanjay Raut hints at Sena UBT going solo in BMC, civic body polls; Cong says ‘their choice’

“Those who wish to contest polls independently should definitely do so,” Raut said.

After the drubbing in the recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly elections, Sena (UBT) is gearing up for upcoming civic body polls and seems to be returning to its hard-core Hindutva ideology and politics. On Tuesday, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at a meeting of his party’s former corporators in Mumbai, asked them to focus on civic body polls and spread Hindutva ideology in every household in their area. At the meeting, some corporators also demanded that Sena (UBT) go solo in civic polls.

Responding to Raut’s statement, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said the remarks made by the Sena UBT leader stem from “frustration”. “They are an independent party and if Sena wishes to go independent, it’s their choice. We are willing to contest in an alliance, but since Raut has presented Sena UBT’s stance of going solo, we must seek clarity on his stand,” Wadettiwar said.

Meanwhile, after the meeting between Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar in Delhi led to speculation of the uncle-nephew duo patching up, Raut said joining hands with Ajit Pawar would mean joining hands with BJP. He said he knows Sharad Pawar well, and he would not deviate from his secular ideology. “Without doubt, I can say he will not join hands with the newbies (Ajit Pawar and his faction) who have tied up with BJP. But one thing should be noted —Who is mediating? It’s Gautam Adani. All political meetings in the state are being held at the residence of Adani, who is looting Maharashtra by taking airports and other major establishments under his umbrella. Those from Maharashtra who are attending these meetings should feel ashamed,” said Raut.

The statement also comes amid reports of NCP’s Praful Patel and Sharad Pawar meeting a few days ago at Adani’s residence.

Raut alleged that a condition has been laid for Ajit Pawar if he wishes for a ministerial berth in the Centre. “NCP has not been able to fulfil the formula of six MPs for one Cabinet berth. I have information that BJP has asked NCP to get five to six MPs from Sharad Pawar’s NCP to fulfill his quota for bagging a Cabinet berth at the Centre,” Raut claimed.