Mumbai: Although senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut had denied that he was not unhappy with party president Uddhav Thackeray as his brother MLA Sunil Raut was overlooked in the cabinet expansion, his two New Year related Facebook post’s since yesterday have raised eyebrows. The Facebook posts have once again raised questions whether Raut, the architect of the Sena, Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is really unhappy?
In the first Facebook post on Wednesday, the senior Sena leader put out a suggestive comment “Hammesha Aaise Vyakti Ko Sambhalke Rakhiye Jisne Aapko Yeh Teen Bheint Di Ho, Saath, Samay aur Samarpan”. Which meant – “always treasure company of that person who has gifted you these three things – company, time and devotion”.
Critics argue that this barb is actually meant for the top Sena leadership who overlooked his contribution in forming the MVA government. On December 30, Raut had skipped the swearing-in ceremony of new minister’s that was held at Vidhan Bhavan leading to speculation that Raut brothers were unhappy. There were reports of Sunil Raut even contemplating meeting Legislative Assembly Speaker Nana Patole.
However, by evening end the unhappiness had melted away with Raut senior pledging his undying loyalty towards the party. Reacting to Raut’s facebook post, another senior Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik is reported to have quipped “maybe he (Sanjay Raut) was bit short in his devotion”.
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On New Years eve on December 31, Sanjay Raut posted another Photo of folded hands with a caption in Hindi “Saal Jaroor Badal Raha Hain, Lekein Saath Nahi, Sneha Sada Bana Rahein”. Which means – “the year may be changing over, but not the company, continue to maintain that warmth”.
Critics wonder whether this is yet another reminder to the Sena leadership that although the year may be changing over, but he (Sanjay Raut) has not changed his company (of Shiv Sena), and has hoped that the warmth in their relations is maintained”. Critics are wondering whether it is an impassioned plea from the Sena leader to his party bosses not to snap their ties with him and continue to maintain that warmth in their relations with him.
Meanwhile, according to sources in the Sena, party president Uddhav Thackeray has apparently said “Jai Maharashtra” (in other words Goodbye) to party legislator Tanaji Sawant from Paranda in Solapur district who had come to ask about why he was overlooked in the cabinet expansion. Sawant had called on party president and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray wanting to know as to why despite being the senior legislator, he was overlooked.
Not satisfied with the party chiefs response Sawant in a fit of despondency is reported to have remarked that he would never come again to Matoshri to ask for ministership. Looking at the tantrums of Sawant, Thackeray too quipped “Jai Maharashtra” (Goodbye). Sources in the Sena disclosed that the supporters of Tanaji Sawant had held a meeting at Barshi where Sena leader Bhausaheb Andhalkar is reported to have pressed for a resolution urging the party leadership to consider the name of Tanaji Sawant for inclusion in the state cabinet.
Meanwhile, sources in the Sena further disclosed that Sena Lok Sabha MP from Yavatmal-Washim constituency Bhavana Gawli is reportedly unhappy with the party leaderships decision to give ministership to Sanjay Rathod. There are reports that another senior Sena MLC and former minister Ramdas Kadam too is contemplating quitting his party post as the party leadership overlooked him without taking him into confidence.
