Pune: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Sanjay Raut, during his visit to Pune, addressed party workers and office bearers from Pune and Baramati divisions.
The meeting, aimed at preparing for upcoming municipal and district council elections, saw participation from notable leaders, including Shiv Sena UBT Deputy Leader Sushma Andhare, MLA Sachin Ahir, former MLA Chandrakant Mokate, Pune City Chief Sanjay More, and other key office bearers.
After the meeting, Raut spoke to the press, emphasizing the need to strengthen the party's organizational structure in the aftermath of the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. He revealed that opinions within the party are divided—some favor contesting elections independently, while others advocate continuing with the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance.
Despite differing views, Raut assured that the Shiv Sena (UBT) is determined to contest upcoming elections with full force. He announced that a joint meeting with senior leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi would soon be held to decide the strategy for the elections.
In Pimpri-Chinchwad, Raut addressed speculations about the potential reunion of the Thackeray brothers, stating that no one has a definitive answer. He reiterated the party's commitment to never aligning with forces he described as “enemies of Maharashtra,” calling it a matter of pride and self-respect.
Taking a sharp dig at the BJP, Raut accused the central leadership of exploiting Maharashtra’s resources for Gujarat and claimed the party has developed a habit of splitting political groups. He warned that Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP might also face such attempts in the future.
Raut also highlighted the party's morale despite previous electoral defeats. He clarified that calls for independent contestation in Mumbai were specific to the region, where the party has a stronghold.
However, he expressed skepticism about contesting independently in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, stating that the alliance between the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP) remains crucial for success in other cities.
