Guwahati: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut claimed on Sunday that the Eknath Shinde-led group spent Rs 2,000 crore to “buy” the name and “bow and arrow” symbol of the Shiv Sena. Raut asserted in a tweet that the number of Rs 2,000 crore was an estimate and that it was entirely accurate.
The Rajya Sabha member claimed that he had proof to support his assertions, which he would soon reveal. He said that a builder connected to the current administration had given him this information. According to him, the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) decision to recognise the group headed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as the true Shiv Sena was “business” rather than “justice.”
Sanjay Raut said, “And so far a transaction of ₹2,000 crore has happened in that case. This is my primary guess. This is my FIR. This decision was bought.”
He further alleged, “The government, the leader, and the group of unscrupulous people that puts a price of ₹50 crore to buy an MLA, bids ₹100 crore to buy a member of Parliament, bids ₹1 crore to buy our councillor and shakha pramukh, you can guess how much they can bid to buy the party symbol and party name,” adding “It’s ₹2,000 crore according to my knowledge.”
Sanjay Raut is a cashier, Legislator Sada Sarvankar of the Shinde camp questioned in response to the allegations.
The ECI acknowledged the Shinde-led group as the legitimate Shiv Sena in a 78-page judgement intended to put an end to the protracted dispute over the name and symbol. ECI gave Uddhav Thackeray permission to use the “flaming flame” symbol up till the conclusion of the state’s assembly by-elections.
Raut tweeted, “The EC’s decision is a deal,” Raut alleged. “I have reliable information that there has been a deal of ₹2000 crore to get the Shiv Sena name and its symbol. This is a preliminary figure and is 100 per cent true. Many things will be revealed shortly. Never before this has happened in the country’s history.”