Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of “buying” symbol and name of Shiv Sena and claimed that it took “transactions” worth Rs 2,000 crore to do the deal.
Earlier this week, the Election Commission allotted the name ‘Shiv Sena’ and its symbol of ‘Bow and Arrow’ to Eknath Shinde-led group of the party.
Reacting to the EC order, Sanjay Raut said, “I have informed the nation with my tweet. The way our symbol and Shiv Sena’s name has been taken is not just, it’s a business deal for which Rs 2000 crore worth of transactions are done within 6 months. And this is my initial estimate.”
Taking a dig at the BJP, he said, “The party, the leader and the dishonest group that bids Rs 50 crore for MLAs, Rs 100 crore for MPs and Rs 50 lahks to 1 crore to buy our councillors. How much it would bid to take our name and symbol, you decide? My info is Rs 2,000 crores.”
Sanjay Raut also hit back at Union Home Minister Amit Shah who said the formula of ‘Satyameva Jayate’ became significant after the EC’s order.
“What HM Amit Shah says has never been taken seriously. What can we say about people who believe in buying justice & truth? Who has won & lost Maharashtra we’ll show when the time comes. We’ll not say anything now,” said Raut.
It should be noted that both factions of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde) have been fighting for the bow and arrow symbol of the pary since Shince revolted against the MVA government last year.
