Uddhav Sena MPs being offered at least Rs 15 crore to switch sides, alleges party leader Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday alleged that legislators were being offered at least Rs 15 crore each to switch sides and join the rival Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The Rajya Sabha MP had initially said that reports of a breakaway group were “a lie” and stated that all MPs had recently “expressed faith” in party chief Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership, ANI reported.

Later, however, Raut alleged on social media that attempts were being made to induce MPs to switch sides.

He claimed that MPs were being offered Rs 50 crore to join rival parties, with Rs 15 crore being the “advance” payment.

On Wednesday, Raut also alleged that MP Om Raje Nimbalkar had been told that if he wanted a favourable verdict in a murder case in which his father is facing trial in a special Central Bureau of Investigation court, he would have to switch political sides, ABP Majha reported.

However, on Wednesday, Nimbalkar and another MP, Rajabhau Waje said that they had not been offered any money to defect to the Shinde Sena, The Indian Express reported.

Waje said that he would always stay with Thackeray: “I was with Uddhav ji yesterday, and I will remain with him tomorrow as well.”

Nimbalkar also denied any knowledge about such an offer of money.

“The common man...

Read more