Sanjay Raut dubs Devendra Fadnavis as 'villain' of Maharashtra Politics

"Devendra Fadnavis is villain of Maharashtra`s politics": Shiv Sena UBT`s Sanjay Raut

The Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut launched a scathing attack on Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, labelled Fadnavis' urge to relieve him from ministerial duties as a 'gimmick' and blamed him for BJP's appauling performance in Maharashtra.

Speaking about the Devendra Fadnavis resignation request, Raut said, "This is all gimmick which is very common in politics. Even Prime Minister Modi does the drama, sometimes he laughs and in other moments he is sad. Fadnavis is his student, doing the same drama."

According to reports from ANI, Sanjay Raut blamed Devendra Fadnavis for the BJP's massive defeat in Maharashtra. Speaking about it, he said, "Devendra Fadnavis is the villain of Maharashtra's politics and the public of the state has denied his leadership. He is responsible for running the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) and the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state."

He added, "Maharashtra has always been the state advocating for clean and diplomatic politics but Fadnavis brought cheap tactics and a culture of deceit which is the reason behind their defeat."

Further expressing his feelings on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath he said, "I have a major feeling that some people are trying to sideline Yogi Ji. We have always respected Baba Ji but it is a matter of his party."

In reponse to questions about whether the RSS was looking to replace Nitin Gadkari with Ranjath Singh, Raut repeated, "Wait and watch! I won't say that the picture is yet not finished, instead, I'll say the picture has just been initiated and there are a lot of things that will take place."

Further when asked about possibilities of RSS supporting the future NDA government, Raut asserted, "I don't feel RSS will support Modi-Shah government, as they have been side-lining RSS since their rule."

When asked about him sitting as opposition now, Raut asserted, "This time public has mandated us to remove Modi Ji from the post of PM and establish INDIA alliance's government. We will take the necessary actions into this matter when we'll the right time has arrived."

"Modi Ji's government will not get re-established and somehow if it happens, then it won't last for long,' he further added.

In Maharashtra, the INDIA alliance has secured a major 30 seats while the BJP-led NDA alliance has only secured 17 seats in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

According to the reports from ANI, he further claimed that the INDIA alliance can also form government in the centre upon arrival of right time. The agency reports, he also presented his views on the seat-sharing arrangements of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra.

"Don't you think Shiv Sena (UBT) has played a major role in the increase of Congress' votes? Not just Congress, but also Sharad Pawar's NCP(SP)," said Raut addressing the media persons about the INDIA alliance and Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance.

"The increase in vote share of Congress and NCP (SP) was only possible due to the efforts of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Uddhav Thackeray. Would anyone have got seats if Shiv Sena (UBT) and Uddhav Thackeray hadn't actively prepared and campaigned over the state?"

In the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Supriya Sule of NCP Sharad Pawar faction emerged victorious from Baramati with a margin of 1,58,333 votes by defeating Sunetra Pawar of the NCP Ajit Pawar faction. Baramati is considered as Bastion of Pawar family.

"There will be no dissonance in Maha Vikas Aghadi in terms of seat sharing in upcoming assembly elections and together we will work strongly to defeat Modi," he added.

Regarding Rahul Gandhi's potential of becoming Prime Minister, the Shiv Sena UBT leader remarked, "If Rahul Gandhi is ready to accept the leadership, why would we object? He has proven himself as a national leader for multiple times. He is one of the popular leaders. We all want him and love him." In a press conference he continued, "There is no objection and difference in the alliance."

The counting of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was held on Tuesday. BJP won 240 seats, much lower than its 2019 tally of 303, according to the Election Commission of India.
The Congress, on the other hand, marked a strong growth winning 99 seats. Posing stiff competition and defying all the remarks, the INDIA bloc crossed the 230 mark.