Jalgaon: Sanjay Raut Hints At Fresh Split In Eknath Shinde Faction, 3 MLAs May Join BJP

Jalgaon: After Eknath Shinde engineered a split in the Shiv Sena, five MLAs from Jalgaon district were at the forefront of those who accompanied him to Guwahati. Now, as the Shinde faction appears to be on the verge of another split, three MLAs from Jalgaon are expected to be involved. Speaking to journalists today, Sanjay Raut, a leader of the Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction), hinted that these three MLAs are in close contact with the BJP's "crisis managers" and are likely to contest the upcoming elections on a BJP ticket.

Sanjay Raut predicts that 25 MLAs from Eknath Shinde's faction will defect to the BJP, causing a massive stir in the political arena. While speaking to the media today, Raut specifically stated that the Shinde faction MLAs representing the Parola, Muktainagar, and Chopda constituencies are in frequent contact with the BJP's key strategist and "crisis manager," Girish Mahajan, and are expected to contest the next elections under the BJP banner. Following Eknath Shinde's initial split from the Shiv Sena, five MLAs from Jalgaon were among the first to join him on his journey to Guwahati; consequently, they were branded as "traitors."

Although Eknath Shinde has endeavoured to protect and accommodate them during the intervening period, the electorate has not forgotten their past actions; as a result, these MLAs have begun making overtures to align themselves with the BJP. Observing their growing camaraderie with Girish Mahajan, Sanjay Raut signalled that their eventual defection to the BJP was imminent.

Speaking on the upcoming by-elections in Rahuri and Baramati, Sanjay Raut stated that while the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP holds a rightful claim to these seats, the leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance would convene collectively to deliberate on the matter and arrive at a final decision.