Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun 17: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday alleged that attempts were being made to lure Members of Parliament from Maharashtra with large sums of money amid speculation of a possible split within the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.
In a late-night post on social media platform X, Raut claimed that MPs were being offered Rs 15 crore in advance to switch allegiance.
"Apna Sapna Money Money! It's shocking and revolting that Maharashtra MPs are reportedly being offered Rs 15 crore each tonight to switch sides," Raut wrote.
The allegations come amid reports of a possible "Operation Tiger", with speculation suggesting that some of Shiv Sena (UBT)'s nine Lok Sabha MPs may be in contact with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction.
Raut's post drew a response from Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, who sarcastically questioned the reported amount.
"Only Rs 15 crore? Saste mein kyo jaa rahe hai? Believe ours got Rs 4 crore up front and Rs 1 crore a month for next 36 months of term. Honey plus Money," Moitra posted on X.
Responding to her remarks, Raut claimed that the actual amount being discussed was much higher.
"No no — Mahua ji, the Minimum Support Price is fixed at Rs 50 crore per MP. Rs 15 crore is just the advance. Frankly, these people aren't even worth Rs 50,000. Their price has only gone up because of the Shiv Sena and TMC brand label," he wrote.
The remarks have further intensified political speculation surrounding the future of Shiv Sena (UBT), particularly after leaders from the ruling Shiv Sena faction indicated that those willing to accept the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde would be welcomed into the party.
Earlier in the day, Raut dismissed reports claiming that five Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs were planning to form a separate faction. He asserted that all party MPs continued to support Uddhav Thackeray's leadership.
"This is a lie. We have no such information. Four days ago, all these MPs took part in a meeting called by Uddhav Thackeray and expressed faith in his leadership," Raut told reporters.
He also denied reports that he had met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in connection with any possible split and accused the BJP of attempting to engineer divisions within opposition parties.
Speculation intensified after only four of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs attended a recent meeting convened by Thackeray in person, while others participated virtually or communicated over the phone.
The rumours gained further momentum after Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Deshmukh met Union Minister and Shiv Sena leader Prataprao Jadhav in New Delhi.
Despite the ongoing political buzz, Raut and party MP Anil Desai have maintained that all Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentarians remain united and committed to the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray.