Speaking at a press conference, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut described the clash at Shivaji Park as a confrontation between Sena loyalists and the “slaves” of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
On Friday, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut referred to the face-off between his party’s workers and the faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at Sena founder Bal Thackeray’s memorial as a “trailer” of what to expect in the lead-up to the 2024 national and Maharashtra elections.
Raut addressed the clash at Shivaji Park as a battle between Sena loyalists and “slaves” of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He also criticized the Shinde-led Sena and questioned the loyalty of those who betrayed the party and the ideals of Bal Thackeray. This was in reference to the revolt in the party led by Shinde in June last year, resulting in a split in the parent party and the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.
Two factions of the rival Sena clashed on Thursday night at Bal Thackeray’s memorial ahead of his 11th death anniversary. “Those who are loyal and true to Balasaheb’s ideals are real Shiv Sainiks…They may have opposed (the rival group) and this is acceptable to Maharashtra. The opposition by loyalist Shiv Sainiks to traitors is a trailer and also what lies in the run-up to 2024 (national and state polls),” the Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member stated.
Raut also referred to CM Shinde as ‘Vibhishan’ for betraying his brother and demon king Ravan to join hands with Lord Ram.
“Everyone can come to Balasaheb’s ‘Smriti Sthal’ (memorial). But we will never accept those who indulge in drama as Shiv Sainiks. They don’t have any faith in Balasaheb,” Raut added.
In a statement released late Thursday night, Shinde stated that his group had chosen to pay respect at the memorial a day ahead of Bal Thackeray’s death anniversary to avoid any law and order situation and blamed the rival Sena for the ruckus.