Shiv Sena's Sanjay Nirupam.
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: In a sharp attack, Shiv Sena deputy leader Sanjay Nirupam described Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut as “factory of fake news” in response to the latter’s claims of “goats being sacrificed”.
Nirupam and Raut are both journalist-turned-politicians and were once colleagues.
Over the past few days, Raut, a close aide of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, has been hitting out at deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde saying that “goats are being sacrificed”, using photos and videos, which he posted on X.
“They see goats everywhere because they’re chasing Bakri Eid votes,” Nirupam quipped, taking a pointed dig at Raut.
Nirupam described Shinde as “the tiger of Maharashtra”, praising his "relentless efforts for public welfare and his unwavering commitment to the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray".
Nirupam didn’t hold back in his criticism of Raut, branding him “the Bhonga of Bhandup” and accusing him of being a “factory of fake news".
“Whatever Raut says today is proven false tomorrow. He ditched Hindutva by joining hands with the Congress and now sides with those who kill cows. We are proud to be cow protectors,” Nirupam said.
He warned Raut against questioning Shiv Sena’s leadership. “If he continues to lie, we’ll expose him publicly every single day,” Nirupam said.
“Ever since Eknath Shinde became chief minister, Raut has been predicting the fall of this government — and every time he has been proven wrong. The MahaYuti not only completed its term but returned with a historic mandate,” he added.
Taking a swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT)’s recent electoral record, Nirupam said: “They contested 100 seats and won only 20. That’s a 20% strike rate. The people of Maharashtra have rejected them and branded them as traitors. Sanjay Raut’s lies have made him the ‘king of fake news’ and reduced him to a 'political clown'.”