Eknath Shinde wanted to join Congress in past, claims Sanjay Raut

Mumbai: In a claim sending ripples across the political scene in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray’s close aide Sanjay Raut claimed that Eknath Shinde was to join Congress at one point of time.

Raut, who is a Rajya Sabha member and party’s chief spokesperson, however, did not specify the time frame.

He claimed that Shinde was in touch with late Congressman Ahmed Patel, the Political Secretary of former Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

“Asked (senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister) Prithviraj Chavan about this…Shinde was in touch with Ahmed Patel,” he claimed.

"I know what all was going on. Ahmed Patel is not around now and hence I don't want to say anything more because he is not there to substantiate this,'' Raut told reporters.

Chavan, however, has refused to comment on Raut’s claims.

While, Shinde was not available for comments, his close aide and Thane MP Naresh Mhaske refuted the claim. “Raut seems to be under the influence of bhang,” he said.

Patel died on November 25, 2020.

Former Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole had caused a flutter with his "offer" to Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar (of NCP) to switch to the opposition alliance with the promise of the "rotational post of the chief minister". He made these comments during Holi celebrations.

When asked to react, Raut said nothing is impossible in politics.

"I am speechless. The only thing I can say is that nothing is impossible in politics," he added.

Raut said no one had imagined that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would be formed in 2019 or that an "unconstitutional" government would take charge in 2022 (under Shinde) or Devendra Fadnavis get an absolute majority in 2024.

He alleged that Shinde had nothing to do with the saffron flag of Balasaheb Thackeray.

''Shinde and Ajit Pawar (who split Nationalist Congress Party in 2023) are carrying the flags of the BJP," the Shiv Sena (MP) claimed.

(With PTI inputs)