Key facts
- Sanjay Raut challenged rebel Shiv Sena MPs who joined Eknath Shinde faction
- Raut claimed the Supreme Court is also partly to blame for Shiv Sena split
- Uddhav Thackeray lost Maharashtra chief ministership in June 2022 rebellion
NDTV reports that Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut issued a sharp challenge to the rebel MPs who defected to the Eknath Shinde-led faction, while also making the striking claim that the Supreme Court bears partial blame for the split in the original Shiv Sena.
The rebellion by Shinde and a majority of Shiv Sena MLAs in June 2022 brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by Uddhav Thackeray. The Supreme Court subsequently ruled on several aspects of the disqualification proceedings and the legitimacy of the rival factions, a process that the Uddhav camp has long felt did not adequately protect their position.
Raut's latest statements reflect the continuing frustration within Team Uddhav at the outcome of both the political and legal battles. His remarks are likely to stoke fresh controversy, particularly the targeting of the Supreme Court's role. For Maharashtra's political landscape, the salvo keeps tensions alive ahead of elections.