Mumbai, Jan 23 (NationPress) Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut firmly dismissed any possibility of seeking support from the faction led by Eknath Shinde for the Mumbai mayor's position, asserting that his party is not in a "desperate state" where it would sacrifice its principles for power.

With speculation brewing over who will take charge of Mumbai after the civic elections, Raut informed reporters that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is unlikely to relinquish the esteemed mayoral role. “The party will make the ultimate choice, but one thing is certain — the BJP will not yield the mayoral position to anyone,” Raut stated.

He further criticized the BJP for allegedly exploiting the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray for political leverage. “If they genuinely honored him, they would not have fragmented the Shiv Sena he founded,” he remarked.

This declaration followed comments from Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Bhaskar Jadhav, who indicated that if the Shinde faction genuinely desired a "Shiv Sena" mayor during the centenary year of Balasaheb Thackeray, they should back a candidate put forward by Uddhav Thackeray.

When asked if Shiv Sena (UBT) would accept assistance from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s faction to secure the position, Raut responded: “We will not seek Shinde’s backing. Shiv Sena has not encountered such dire circumstances. Our existence does not hinge on holding power; we are not anxious or desperate for power like others.”

He emphasized that the party would maintain its dignity rather than compromise it for the mayoral seat.

Raut launched a fierce critique of the BJP’s influence in Maharashtra politics, asserting that the party owes its status in the state to Balasaheb Thackeray.

“The BJP had no prominence in Maharashtra; Balasaheb carved a niche for them. In return, they fractured his party and transferred the ‘Bow and Arrow’ symbol to someone disconnected from the fundamental values of Shiv Sena. They handed Balasaheb’s weapon to ‘unmanly’ hands (namarda),” he claimed.

He also condemned the BJP’s “insatiable hunger for power,” alleging that the use of financial influence and force in recent elections deviates from the ideology of the late Shiv Sena founder. He accused the BJP of leveraging Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy for “political selfishness.”

In an individual tribute, Raut equated Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy to that of Lokmanya Tilak, describing him as a “mass leader” who taught the Marathi populace and Hindus the strength of unity. “Balasaheb imparted significant thoughts to Maharashtra and the nation — the idea of a robust ‘Vajramuth’ (iron fist) of unity. He transformed ordinary individuals into courageous warriors and made them conscious of their rights and responsibilities. Maharashtra will never forget him,” he added.

Raut also took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning the authenticity of the latter’s tribute to Balasaheb Thackeray during his centenary. He inquired whether PM Modi now draws “energy and guidance” from Eknath Shinde after allegedly dismantling the party established by Balasaheb.

The controversy escalated following PM Modi’s homage to Balasaheb Thackeray on social media. In his tribute, the Prime Minister shared a picture with the late leader, asserting that Balasaheb’s vision continues to be a significant inspiration for Maharashtra’s advancement, and he would consistently strive to realize that vision.

In response to the Prime Minister’s post, Raut stated: “The Prime Minister tweeted a photo with Balasaheb, referring to him as a mentor and discussing how he draws energy and inspiration from him. However, this is the same Prime Minister who dismantled Balasaheb’s Shiv Sena and appointed a person named Eknath Shinde as the leader. Now, people are questioning: Is Modi seeking energy, inspiration, and guidance from Eknath Shinde instead?”