"Eknath Shinde himself is like Hamas": Sanjay Raut hits back at Maharashtra CM over alliance remark

In response to Eknath Shinde's statement that Shiv Sena (UBT) would form an alliance even with groups like 'Hamas' or 'Lashkar-e-Taiba,' Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut criticized Shinde, suggesting that Shinde himself is influenced by the BJP. Raut stated, "He (Eknath Shinde) is himself Hamas, and his statement shows how BJP has planted dirt in his mind."

Eknath Shinde, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, had yesterday remarked that Uddhav Thackeray and the Shiv Sena faction could align with groups like 'Hamas' and 'Lashkar-e-Taiba' for their own political interests, in reference to Shiv Sena (UBT) forming an alliance with Congress and the Samajwadi Party.

Sanjay Raut, while speaking to media, accused Shinde of adopting the BJP's language and expressed his disapproval of Shinde's comments. He noted that Shiv Sena follows the values instilled by Balasaheb Thackeray and refrains from such remarks.

“Shinde is speaking the language of the BJP and even we could stoop down to his level if we want to but we refrain from all this as we are guided by the values that were inculcated in Shiv Sena by Balasaheb Thackeray," Raut said.

"But Shinde could not stop himself from making such comments even on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra which reflects his own mentality and BJP's influence on him," Raut added.

Raut went on to discuss the BJP's political strategies, claiming that the party had engaged in promoting regionalism and casteism in states where they were not in power.

"BJP strengthens the states that are under its rule but in the states where the party has been unable to form the government, BJP promotes regionalism. This is what they have been doing in Telangana and West Bengal," said Raut.

He further said that this was BJP's pattern in Maharashtra as well when the Uddhav Thackeray government was ruling the state. The state government was not receiving any help from the centre during that time but now that the state government has changed, the central government has opened its treasury for Maharashtra.

What Eknath Shinde says?

"The people are aware of what is happening today. The lifelong ideals of our founder-leader, Balasaheb Thackeray, were compromised to satisfy someone's lust for power and ambition of becoming the chief minister. They joined hands with the Congress, the same Congress which Balasaheb always kept us away from. Today, these people are sharing the stage with them," Shinde said, railing against Uddhav.

"I won't be surprised if they (Sena UBT) merge with the Congress. Instead of being proud Hindus, they consigned the core beliefs that the (undivided) Shiv Sena was founded on to the waters to stand with the socialists, their ideological opposites. They could even join hands with Owaisi or with terrorist organisations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hamas if it suits their political ambitions. Our Shiv Sena can and will never compromise with our founding ideals for the sake of power," Shinde added.