Shiv Sena leader and Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Neelam Gorhe, is facing backlash from both the opposition and her own alliance partners for her remarks against Shiv Sena (UBT) faction chief Uddhav Thackeray. At the 98th All India Marathi Literary Meet in Delhi on Sunday, Gorhe claimed that securing a position in the UBT faction required gifting two Mercedes cars, sparking a political uproar.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis rebuked Gorhe for making political comments at a literary event, emphasising that such platforms should remain free from political discourse.
“Authors and literary figures should observe some restraint while speaking at such forums. Some have consistently argued that politicians should not be present on the dais. I expect them to avoid comments resembling political commentary,” he said
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar dismissed her statement as “foolish.” Pawar also criticised Gorhe for making such allegations at a literary meet, adding that she had previously been with the NCP before switching to Shiv Sena, and is now aligned with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. “She has experience of switching four parties in a short span. It would be better if she didn’t share her experiences publicly,” Pawar remarked.
Labeling Gorhe as “shameless” and a “traitor”, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut accused her of taking money from Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) to raise 'calling attention' motions in the state council. “How much money does she demand to finalise these deals? I have all the proof,” Raut asserted. He also declared that he was not afraid of any breach of privilege motion against him, emphasising that he had already faced imprisonment, ED and CBI inquiries, as well as multiple privilege motions in the past.
Raut further alleged that Gorhe never earned a high-ranking political position through her own hard work but rather benefited from Thackeray's support. “Uddhav Thackeray made her an MLA four times, giving her social prestige. She is a traitor,” he said.
Raut accused her of accepting money from Nashik leader Vinayak Pande for a party ticket. Pande himself also claimed that Gorhe took money from him. However, Ajay Boraste, a former district head of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, refuted Pande’s allegations.
Pande alleged that during the 2014 Assembly elections, both he and Boraste were ticket aspirants. He claimed that a close associate of Gorhe suggested he speak to her, after which he gave her a sum of money. However, despite this, the party ticket was given to Boraste. Pande further stated that when he later demanded the money back, Gorhe initially ignored him, forcing him to threaten a press conference, after which she returned part of the amount.
