Take Ads From Govt, Then Defame Us: Minister Uday Samant Slams ‘Saamana’ Over Political Hypocrisy

Mumbai: Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant has hit out at the Shiv Sena (UBT)-backed newspaper ‘Saamana’, accusing it of political double standards. Speaking to the media on Sunday, Samant questioned how the publication could accept government advertisements while simultaneously targeting the very administration that funds them.

“They accuse us of wrongdoing even when they’re taking advertisements from us. The ‘Saamana’ newspaper carries ads from the Maharashtra Government, yet we are the ones being defamed,” Samant said, expressing frustration at what he described as “benefiting from the government, but blaming us for everything.”

The remarks come amid heightened political tensions in the state, with ruling and opposition camps exchanging barbs over governance, media narratives, and alliance ethics. Samant’s statement appears to be a direct response to recent editorials in Saamana that have criticized the Eknath Shinde-led state government on issues ranging from law and order to corruption.

“I don’t understand this kind of politics,” Samant added, signaling what he sees as a contradiction in the opposition’s behavior — receiving state-sponsored benefits while launching public attacks on the government.