Mumbai: UBT Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, known for his relentless attacks on former Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has made a sensational allegation— claiming that Union Home Minister Amit Shah advised Shinde to merge his party with the BJP.
In his Sunday column Rokhthok in Saamana, Raut alleged that Shinde met Shah at Pune’s Westin Hotel at 4 AM on February 22, seeking clarity on his diminishing role in the government. According to Raut, Shinde complained about Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, frustrated that his authority was being systematically eroded.
About The Alleged Conversation
Alleged Conversation Between Shinde and Shah Amit Shah: "Shindeji, it’s 4 AM. What is so urgent?" Shinde: "You already know what is happening." Shah: "What exactly?" Shinde: "They are sidelining me and my people." Shah: "How is that possible? I’ll speak to Devendra." Shinde: "They’re trying to politically finish me. We trusted you and joined hands with the BJP. You promised I’d remain CM even after elections." Shah: "But BJP won 125 seats. How can you claim the CM post?"
Shinde: "The elections were fought under my leadership." Shah: "No, the elections were won in Modi ji’s name. Tell me what you want." Shinde: "I want to remain CM." Shah: "That’s not possible. The CM will be from BJP now." Shinde: "What should I do?" Shah: "Merge your party with BJP. That’s the only way you can retain influence. An outsider will no longer be Maharashtra’s CM. We have respected your position so far."
Shinde: "What about my party?" Shah: "Leave that to us. We built that party, so don’t worry." Raut claimed that Shinde left the meeting visibly tense and that Shah assured him BJP would "take care of his faction" after the merger.
While the BJP has not officially responded, Raut insists his sources are from within the BJP itself.
Shinde's Shindig
Eknath Shinde dismissed the claims outright, saying, “Amit Bhai Shah is an important leader of the NDA. Why would we meet secretly at 4 AM? We don’t operate in secrecy like them. We meet during the day.” He further questioned, “If the meeting never happened, how can Raut describe it?”
Post Script
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis took a swipe at Raut’s allegations, quipping, “Sanjay Raut is now manufacturing stories. His competition is with Sholay writers Salim-Javed.”
