Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray chaired a meeting of party MPs in Mumbai, where internal differences reportedly came to the fore, particularly over statements made by party leader Sanjay Raut.
According to sources, Thackeray began the meeting by expressing confidence in his MPs amid speculation about possible defections. “I trust all of you. Leaders from the BJP and NCP have told me that your MPs may break away, but I have faith in you. I am fighting this battle based on that trust,” he said.
During the discussion, Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi raised objections over remarks made by Sanjay Raut concerning NCP chief Sharad Pawar. “I want to protest. Why did Sanjay Raut take Sharad Pawar’s name for Rajya Sabha and make a statement?” she questioned.
Thackeray defended Raut, stating that as party chief, the final decision rests with him. “So what if he spoke? I am the party chief. Ultimately, I will take the final call,” he said, according to sources.
Sources further revealed that after the meeting, an MP questioned the leadership over Chaturvedi’s role, asking what had been achieved despite giving her six years in the party.
The meeting also discussed the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, K.C. Venugopal, and Ramesh Chennithala had reportedly reached out to Thackeray, requesting that a Rajya Sabha seat be allocated to the Congress to strengthen opposition numbers. Thackeray, however, suggested that the Congress take up the matter with the Nationalist Congress Party SP, indicating that such decisions should not be pushed solely onto the Shiv Sena.
However, addressing a press conference today, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said that no such incident had taken place. He dismissed all such discussions as rumours.
“We make decisions after careful consideration, and that is why the party has grown. Nothing of this sort has happened,” Raut clarified.
He further added, “I have been with this party since its inception and have been associated with it all my life,” while
avoiding further comments on the issue.
Concerns were also raised about Aaditya Thackeray’s limited presence across Maharashtra. While acknowledging Uddhav Thackeray’s constraints, some MPs reportedly said Aaditya Thackeray should be more active on the ground.
Aaditya Thackeray, who was present at the meeting, did not interact with the MPs and appeared upset, as per sources.
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