UBT Sena MP Sanjay Raut fuels Devendra Fadnavis Delhi shift buzz, triggers NDA tussle

New Delhi: The Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray Sena has triggered a fresh war of words between supporters of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde by fuelling speculation over Fadnavis' political future.

For days, UBT Sena MP Sanjay Raut has been claiming that Fadnavis could move to Delhi in the next Union cabinet reshuffle. On Saturday, Shiv Sena leader Bachchu Kadu added fuel to the speculation by saying the BJP should make Shinde the chief minister if Fadnavis is shifted to the Centre.

"If he (Fadnavis) goes to Delhi, Maharashtra will progress faster," Kadu said. "There is no option besides Eknath Shinde. The BJP's central leadership should take this decision. Had Shinde not rebelled, the BJP-Shiv Sena government would not have been formed. Even the current BJP government in the state would not have come into being."


Kadu's remarks drew a sharp response from the BJP. MLC Pravin Darekar termed the comments "childish".

"Kadu should not make childish statements. Why talk about ifs and buts? If the BJP had not been there, would Shinde's rebellion have succeeded? We are working together happily in the alliance and there is no need to create unnecessary controversy," Darekar said.