In the aftermath of Maharashtra assembly election, the Shiv Sena appears to have embarked on an internal purge as was evident on Friday when it chose to oust Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut as the Sena spokesperson.
While no explanations were offered by the Sena leadership over its action, party sources said it is linked to Mr. Raut’s comments on the party line post-assembly election. His comments were considered out of sync with that of the party chief Uddhav Thackeray.
“It all started with his editorial in Saamna before assembly elections, where he criticised the Gujarati community without the consent of Mr. Thackeray. The interview of Sena president on the Maharashtra poll-day attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also his idea,” said a senior party leader, on the condition on anonymity. The interview criticised Mr. Modi’s family and his modest background, which is said to have irked the BJP.
Mr. Raut is also an executive-editor of Saamna .
Two days ago, responding to NCP chief Sharad Pawar's comment on the possibility of a snap poll in the State (the NCP chief later blamed media for distorting his statement), Mr. Raut had gone on to claim that his party will not let anyone topple the BJP Government. “This was totally contrary to the party stand and he had not even consulted Uddhavji before saying it openly,” said the leader.
Mr. Raut could not be contacted for his reaction, despite several attempts.
The only older face in the list of party spokespersons is Neelam Gorhe. Apart from Mr. Raut, the Sena has also sidelined its senior leader Subhash Desa, giving the responsibility to Lok Sabha MP from South Mumbai Arvind Sawant, MLA Vijay Shivthare, Manisha Kayande and young leaders such as Arvind Bhosle and film actor Dr. Amol Kolhe.