Mumbai, Jan 10 (NationPress) Shiv Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut expressed on Saturday that the election of 70 NDA candidates without opposition in the Maharashtra civic elections is entirely fraudulent. He compared this situation to the experiences of significant national leaders, noting that even major political figures like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have never faced elections without contest.

Raut questioned how candidates could be elected unopposed in such large numbers.

In an interview with IANS, the Shiv Sena-UBT representative elaborated on the collaboration between Shiv Sena-UBT and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for the approaching BMC elections, discussing the party's expectations in the civic polls, the Mahayuti coalition, and the amalgamation of factions within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) for the forthcoming elections.

Here are highlights from the interview:

IANS: The Maharashtra civic body elections are still pending, yet nearly 70 NDA candidates have been elected unopposed. What are your thoughts?

Sanjay Raut: This is entirely fraudulent. Many notable leaders exist in the nation; take Prime Minister Narendra Modi, take Amit Shah, have they ever been elected unopposed? This has never occurred... Numerous great leaders have emerged in the country, but this scenario is unprecedented.

Being elected unopposed is a significant matter. However, now we see individuals being elected unopposed in bulk. Bids are placed for the candidates standing before you; they are bribed to withdraw their nominations. It's a monetary game. Five crores have been offered to withdraw a nomination. Where does this money originate? That’s the critical question... We have approached the court regarding the individual elected unopposed. Let’s see what unfolds.

IANS: What is your take on the accusations against the Election Commission's operations?

Sanjay Raut: The Election Commission is a mere puppet of the BJP; both the one in Delhi and in Maharashtra are under BJP's control. We desire fair elections to occur. We would never resort to threatening or bribing opponents to compel them to withdraw their nominations. Elections should be held as elections are meant to be. If we adhere to the Constitution, we cannot undermine it.

The responsibility of managing this situation lies with the Election Commission. However, the electoral body remains inactive, like a cat, doing nothing. If they continue this way, democracy in our nation is at risk.

In Maharashtra, we communicate with the populace, demonstrating how fraudulent votes are cast and how unopposed elections occur. Yet, the Election Commission remains silent, a passive observer. There are BJP affiliates within the Election Commission. The BJP has positioned its own individuals there. How can these people voice concerns against the government?

IANS: The Thackeray brothers are reuniting. Why was this collaboration vital?

Sanjay Raut: The essence here is that this election transcends just the Thackeray brothers. Mumbai resembles a nation unto itself. Often termed the financial capital of India, it also serves as Maharashtra's capital. Historically, Balasaheb Thackeray and the Shiv Sena have held power in this capital.

These elections are taking place after a span of seven years; the entire demographic landscape of the state and city has transformed. Yet, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have united to safeguard Mumbai.

The Shiv Sena has consistently championed the rights of Maharashtrians. Every community in Mumbai stands with the Shiv Sena. When discussions arise about Mumbai’s issues, the immediate thought is that the Shiv Sena will safeguard us.

IANS: How did you facilitate the reunion of the Thackeray brothers?

Sanjay Raut: I didn’t play a major role in their coming together. I consider both of them as friends, and my rapport with each has always been robust. All disputes are resolved through dialogue. The people of Maharashtra require these two brothers. Raj Thackeray has stated that if Maharashtra is endangered, he will take steps back, which is precisely what transpired.

This contest in Mumbai is about preserving the existence of the Marathi people. The issues that led to Shiv Sena's inception 60 years ago have resurfaced. Thus, both brothers had to unite. Public sentiment also played a role, with demands for unity to avoid election boycotts.

IANS: How many seats do you believe Shiv Sena-UBT and MNS will secure in the BMC elections?

Sanjay Raut: What value do statistics hold? We will achieve a majority in the BMC.

IANS: You mentioned a conspiracy to divide the Shiv Sena. What leads you to believe this, and who do you suspect is behind it?

Sanjay Raut: The Shiv Sena has been fractured, and Amit Shah bears responsibility. The BJP, along with Amit Shah, orchestrated this. They perceive Mumbai through a businessman’s lens. They fear the Shiv Sena. As long as we exist, they cannot exploit Mumbai at will.

The scheme to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra is longstanding, and we will thwart this conspiracy... A plot to fragment Mumbai will not succeed here. The people of Mumbai will not remain silent,” Raut declared.

IANS: Why do you believe anyone desires to fragment Mumbai? What’s the underlying motive?

Sanjay Raut: Their intent is to establish Mumbai as a Union Territory; they aspire to subjugate Mumbai, akin to various other Union Territories. Mumbai would be governed from Delhi or by the Home Ministry situated there. If they fail in this endeavor, their goal is to dismantle regional parties in Maharashtra, such as the Shiv Sena and NCP.

These two parties are the ones protecting the citizens of Mumbai and Maharashtra. Their vision is to stand with the farmers and laborers and advocate for their rights. This is the ideology of these parties. We have never plotted against anyone or contemplated party division. Balasaheb Thackeray never did, and we will not either. We invite all to regard this state as their own and contribute to its development. This is the Shiv Sena's vision.

IANS: You assert that the existence of Marathi people is threatened. Yet, the Chief Minister, along with the BJP's state and Mumbai Presidents, are all Marathi; how then is there a threat to Marathi people?

Sanjay Raut: The BJP has not contributed to Maharashtra's development. A significant struggle led to the formation of Maharashtra; 106 individuals sacrificed their lives, and the BJP was absent during that struggle. The BJP seeks to divide Maharashtra into four segments.

“The BJP's agenda is to fragment Marathwada and Vidarbha. This is a BJP conspiracy... Those in Delhi are working towards the division of Mumbai. When Mumbai faces adversity, do BJP leaders ever stand with the city?”

“We will not allow Mumbai to be ruined. Have any BJP representatives ever voiced concerns regarding this? What relevance does being Marathi hold? Will being Marathi alleviate the crises confronting Mumbai?”

IANS: Is Shiv Sena-UBT fully prepared for the BMC elections, confident of reclaiming power and seeing their candidate as Mayor?

Sanjay Raut: We enjoy the complete support of Mumbai's populace, regardless of their linguistic or religious background. Everyone desires the Shiv Sena for Mumbai. To preserve Mumbai's existence, Shiv Sena is essential.

IANS: Some individuals are raising the Hindu-Muslim agenda for the BMC elections. What’s your perspective on this?

Sanjay Raut: Those who engage in Hindu-Muslim politics should be chastised. This won’t work. We must focus on the nation's progress and the agenda at hand. What does the Hindu-Muslim divide have to do with this? This election revolves around local issues.

Why does the BJP indulge in religious politics? They are addicted to it; they cannot approach elections without invoking Hindu-Muslim themes. The populace has comprehended the BJP's entire strategy, and our saffron flag will wave over the Mumbai civic body.

IANS: The Chief Minister has stated that a Hindu Marathi will become the Mayor of Mumbai. Who do you anticipate will occupy the Mayor's office when there are calls for a Khan, Pathan, or a woman in a burqa as Mayor?

Sanjay Raut: Is a Marathi individual not a Hindu? Who was Veer Savarkar? Who was Balasaheb Thackeray? What new investment has Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis introduced that necessitates a Hindu Marathi? You should refer to them either as Marathi or Hindu. Mumbai is Maharashtra's capital. The Mayor, as the first citizen, should represent the language of the state. In West Bengal, the Mayor should be Bengali, in Patna, a Hindi speaker; similarly, the Mayor of Mumbai ought to be Marathi. There should be no doubt about this.

IANS: Why are all parties, once adversaries, now forming alliances?

Sanjay Raut: The BJP once claimed it would never ally with Congress, yet they did so in Ambernath... These are all hypocrites; they will do anything to seize power. Their only concern is power.

IANS: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi has proclaimed that India will have a hijab-wearing Prime Minister. What is your stance on this?

Sanjay Raut: For that to happen, he must elect at least 300 of his MPs. Who elected APJ Abdul Kalam as President? We did, didn’t we? The citizens of the nation did, right? Muslims have sacrificed their lives for this country, haven’t they? Avoid religious politics. The competent individual will become the leader. Who is Owaisi? He represents a party from Hyderabad. Does 300 MPs get elected from Hyderabad? Pay attention to their statements and disregard them.

IANS: You asserted that the BJP and RSS contributed nothing to the nation's independence. Now you claim Muslims died for this country. What leads you to this conclusion?

Sanjay Raut: The BJP and RSS have had no role in the country's independence. Muslims made sacrifices and were revolutionaries. Prominent Muslim figures in Maharashtra have contributed significantly, and it would be erroneous to claim otherwise.

Where is the BJP? They are nowhere. Where are those claiming dedication to national service? What service have they provided? There’s only destruction in the country; they have rendered people useless. How can we label this as Hindutva...? The BJP should first grasp the meaning of national service before speaking.

IANS: You were unwell, and reports indicate that Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis inquired about your health. Are you on cordial terms with them?

Sanjay Raut: Eknath Shinde did call. What’s wrong with that? He is the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. At one point, Eknath Shinde was my peer; we collaborated. There are political maneuvers, and ideological conflicts, but when someone is in distress, we reach out to each other or support one another.

Political enmity differs from personal animosity... A person (Eknath Shinde) has fractured our party. Parties may disband, and members can leave, whether they are MLAs or leaders, yet the emergence of a new pattern—breaking 40 individuals and assuming control of the party—is concerning... Shiv Sena is a party established by Balasaheb Thackeray, passed to Uddhav Thackeray. What is Eknath Shinde's role in this?

Eknath Shinde, you initiated a new party; contend against us, campaign against us, we will welcome you, but this party is ours, the election symbol is mine. Amit Shah orchestrates these maneuvers from Delhi. As long as Amit Shah is present, his party will survive. The Supreme Court recognizes that eventually, the party’s name and symbol will revert to Uddhav Thackeray. That’s why the court is consistently postponing decisions; no resolution is forthcoming. This delay is intentional. A legal determination will have to be made.

IANS: Deputy CM Ajit Pawar stated that both factions of the NCP are united and familial differences are resolved. What’s your perspective on this?

Sanjay Raut: The statement is significant; however, Ajit Pawar is currently aligned with the Mahayuti coalition alongside the BJP. We have observed for years that Sharad Pawar's ideology diverges entirely from that of the BJP. So, will Ajit Pawar depart from the Mahayuti?

If Ajit Pawar exits the Mahayuti and returns to Sharad Pawar, we will embrace him, but I doubt that Sharad Pawar will align with the BJP as he has consistently opposed their ideology throughout his life. I do not foresee Sharad Pawar joining the BJP.

IANS: Are Shiv Sena-UBT and Congress contesting the elections independently this time? Has the alliance ceased, or is there potential for future unification?

Sanjay Raut: Our rapport with Congress remains strong. The Congress may have certain constraints. We endeavored to unite, but it didn’t materialize. Post-elections, we will reunite.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi was not established for local body elections; it was meant for Assembly elections. Local body elections cater to local citizens. Numerous political dynamics are involved; fluctuations exist, but we remain aligned with Congress in Maharashtra and within the INDIA coalition.

IANS: Will the MNS also collaborate with Congress?

Sanjay Raut: Discussions are ongoing. Let’s wait and see.