Nilesh Narayan Rane Criticizes Sanjay Raut Amid Political Turmoil in Shiv Sena
In a recent political clash, Nilesh Narayan Rane has sharply criticized Sanjay Raut, dismissing his allegations against rebel lawmakers. This comes as six MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray faction have joined Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, intensifying the ongoing political turmoil. Rane challenges Raut to provide evidence for his claims of financial transactions during the party-switching process. As tensions rise within Shiv Sena, the implications of these defections could lead to significant shifts in Maharashtra's political landscape. Read on to discover more about this unfolding drama.
| Jun 22, 2026, 18:09 IST
Political Tensions Rise Within Shiv Sena
Nilesh Narayan Rane, a Shiv Sena legislator, launched a strong critique against Sanjay Raut, a member of the Shiv Sena (UBT), on Monday. Rane dismissed Raut's allegations against rebel lawmakers and defended the decision of six MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray faction to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Speaking to the media, Rane challenged Raut's claims regarding financial transactions during the party-switching process, demanding evidence to support such assertions. He remarked that Raut's statements should not be taken seriously, questioning the basis of his allegations about money being exchanged. Rane further stated, 'Why should I respond to his questions? He is a person of dubious character.'
Recent Developments in Shiv Sena Politics
This statement came in response to Raut's accusations against several rebel MPs, including Omraje Nimbalkar from Dhule, of betraying the Shiv Sena's ideology for monetary gain. Raut claimed that the fragmentation of Shiv Sena was akin to 'dividing Maharashtra' and alleged that Nimbalkar received money to switch sides. Amid ongoing political upheaval, six MPs from Shiv Sena (UBT) have aligned themselves with the Shinde faction.
Shinde Welcomes New Members
In a conversation with the media, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde confirmed that six MPs have joined their ranks. The new members include Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchoure, Omprakash Bhupalsingh Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh, and Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar. Shinde humorously noted that with three members named Sanjay now on board, there is no need to discuss any other Sanjay, referring to Raut.
This latest development marks another setback for Shiv Sena (UBT), which is already grappling with internal strife and speculation about defections. The rebellion intensified when six MPs did not attend a recent parliamentary party meeting, fueling rumors of a split within the faction.