Shiv Sena takes swipe at Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole; rules out threat to MVA

In wake of Nana Patole's repeated statements over Congress' role in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena took a swipe at him on Wednesday via its mouthpiece Saamana. Maharashtra Congress president has repeatedly asserted that his party will win a majority on its own in next Assembly election besides claiming that CM Uddhav Thackeray and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar are tracking his moves. Penning an editorial, Executive Editor Sanjay Raut taunted that Patole h "sacrificed" Assembly Speaker's post to revitalize party.

In a dig at Patole, Sena MP Sanjay Raut remarked, "He took up responsibility of giving a boost to Maharashtra Congress and ensure that Congress comes to power on its own. That's why I must commend his courage. Nana Patole is going to revitalize Congress and take it forward because he has a magic herb or knowledge. Has he given information about this magic herb to eir Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi?" 

"Shar Pawar's statement that we run government toger and not parties is correct. fate of Maharashtra government does not depend on what Nana says. This government is running on desire of Uddhav Thackeray, Shar Pawar and Sonia Gandhi," he ded ruling out any threat to MVA regime.

Shiv Sena-BJP realignment buzz

Despite winning a comfortable majority of its own in 2019 Assembly election, NDA could not form government over Shiv Sena's demand for rotational CM post. Subsequently, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray took oath as CM of Maharashtra backed by new allies NCP and Congress on November 28, 2019. However, unease within alliance has come to fore on multiple occasions with Sonia Gandhi-led party openly asserting that it wants to go solo in next Assembly polls. 

On June 20, Republic TV accessed an explosive letter written by Sarnaik to Maharashtra CM dated June 9. At present, he is under scanner of Enforcement Directorate in connection with Tops Grup case and National Spot Exchange Limited money laundering case. Claiming that Congress and NCP are poaching workers of Sena, he batted for rapprochement with BJP.

However, Sena MP Sanjay Raut asserted that  MVA government will complete its full tenure. But rumour mills were set abuzz after Devendra Fnavis recently commented, “We are not enemies. We are facing ideological differences because our friend who got elected along with us left us and held hands of those against whom y were elected". When questioned on possibility of realignment, Thackeray offered a cryptic response. Flanked by Ajit Pawar and PWD Minister Ashok Chavan while dressing media, he said, "I am sitting between se two persons. Tell me from which side I can leave".