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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [भारत]July 15 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Eknath Shinde-led government, accusing the Maharashtra Chief Minister of "roaming on the streets of Delhi with stolen goods". Raut's comments come amid Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's visit to the national capital to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Speaking to the media in Mumbai, Raut questioned the state of rule of law in the country and described the Shinde-led faction that was taken from Mumbai to Delhi as a "bundle of theft". Raut said, "Does there still be rule of law in this country? Eknath Shinde is roaming on the streets of Delhi with what I call 'stolen goods', yet the law does not stop him. He has taken this 'bundle of theft' from Mumbai to the Home Minister of the country and said, 'This is my stolen goods. Please give your approval to it.' If the Home Minister approves such actions, I am deeply concerned about the state of the rule of law."

His comments came after six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs - Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchore, Omprakash Bhupalsingh Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh and Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar - formally joined the Eknath Shinde faction on July 6, reducing Uddhav Thackeray's strength in the Lok Sabha to three MPs and this after the split in the party in 2022. Another big blow for Shiv Sena (UBT).

Counterattack on BJP regarding donations to Ram temple

Rajya Sabha MP hits back at BJP over demand for Uddhav Thackeray to recite 'Ram Raksha', asks ruling party to answer allegations of financial irregularities in Ayodhya temple. Raut insisted, "No, he will not recite it. First tell me, do you know Ram Raksha? Instead of asking this, speak about the alleged theft of Rs 5,500 crore from the donation box of the Ram temple. Whenever we raise that issue, they ask if we know the prayer. Talk about whether you are involved in that alleged theft... These people have brought Lord Ram on the streets."

He further clarified that Uddhav Thackeray will not hold a public meeting at the Ramnagar temple in Nagpur, but will participate in the 'Ram Raksha' lesson on a nearby road. “We are people of the streets,” he said.

The news of split in MVA was called rumor

On reports of the delimitation bill and a possible rift within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), Raut dismissed these as "deliberate rumours" being spread by the BJP and the Shinde camp. He said, "These reports are false that NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Shiv Sena (UBT) will support the delimitation bill. I just spoke to Supriya Sule. She is also shocked by these reports and will tell everything in detail in the press conference at 12 noon today. During the last assembly session, there were discussions with the government regarding the nature of the delimitation bill. Arvind Sawant and Supriya Sule from our party were present in those discussions. There is no truth in the claims that parties will split or that MLAs and MPs will be traded to create a majority."

Jayant Patil gave clarification on his meeting with CM

Raut also defended NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil's recent meeting with the Chief Minister and said it was related to the "illegal disqualification" of a councilor in his constituency and not political defection. He further said, "I have been hearing discussions for the past few days about who is joining which party. These are all mere rumours. Praful Patel might have gone abroad to participate in the FIFA World Cup or for some other reason. Jayant Patil probably met the Chief Minister regarding the illegal disqualification of a councilor in his assembly constituency Islampur. This is a serious issue for democracy. Jayant Patil is an important leader of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and is also a member of the Maha Vikas Aghadi. These rumors are being spread deliberately about Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress. BJP and Shinde group have not achieved anything, hence such rumors are being spread."

Concern expressed over Sonam Wangchuk's fast

Turning to activist Sonam Wangchuk's ongoing hunger strike over the NEET paper leak issue, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader expressed deep concern over her deteriorating health and called it a major national concern that needs immediate attention. (ANI)