A fresh political storm has erupted in Maharashtra after Sanjay Raut launched a sharp and sensational attack on Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over his recent visit to New Delhi.
Targeting Shinde’s leadership, Raut alleged that the real power behind Maharashtra’s ruling factions lies not in Mumbai but in Delhi. Speaking to IANS, he claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is effectively controlling both Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP.
“Eknath Shinde is the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. His party’s high command is not in Mumbai. Though he uses the Shiv Sena name, the party’s boss is Amit Shah. The leader of both Ajit Pawar’s NCP and Shinde’s Sena is Amit Shah. For decisions related to Maharashtra, they go to Delhi and meet Amit Shah,” Raut said.
Why Did Eknath Shinde Visit Delhi During Budget Session?
Shinde’s visit to the national capital on Monday has triggered intense political speculation. During the trip, he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament.
Sources indicate that discussions between Shinde and Modi likely revolved around Maharashtra’s political situation, coordination with the Centre, and alignment on key policy and development issues alongside broader Budget-related matters.
Apart from the Prime Minister, Shinde also held meetings with several party leaders and MPs, signaling a strategic push to strengthen his faction’s national positioning.
What Issues Did Shinde Discuss With Shiv Sena MPs in Delhi Meeting?
In a key development, Shinde chaired a high-level strategy meeting with Shiv Sena MPs including Prataprao Jadhav, Shrikant Shinde, Milind Deora, Shrirang Barne, Ravindra Waikar, Dhairyasheel Mane, Naresh Mhaske, and Bhausaheb Chaudhary.
According to party sources, the discussions focused on:
- Parliamentary strategy during the Budget Session
- The Union Budget and its impact on Maharashtra
- Party stance on major national and political issues
- Coordination between MPs and central leadership
This meeting is being seen as an effort to consolidate the party’s direction at the national level and ensure alignment with central leadership priorities.
Why Did Raut Claim Amit Shah Controls Shinde Sena?
Raut’s attack stems from his long-standing accusation that the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction operates under the influence of the BJP’s central leadership.
By directly naming Amit Shah as the “real boss,” Raut has escalated the political rhetoric, accusing the ruling alliance in Maharashtra of taking orders from Delhi instead of functioning independently from Mumbai.
Political War in Maharashtra Intensifies
Raut’s explosive remarks have once again exposed the deep divide between the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction and the Shinde-led group.
His direct attack on Amit Shah adds a new layer to the ongoing political confrontation, with opposition leaders increasingly alleging that regional parties in Maharashtra are being “remote-controlled” from Delhi.
As tensions rise, all eyes are now on whether Shinde or his allies respond to these allegations, with the political battle in Maharashtra expected to intensify further in the coming days.
