Sanjay Raut a hardcore Shiv Sainik who defied pressure, says Uddhav Thackeray

Uddhav Thackeray described Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut as a “close friend” and addressed him by his first name

In a show of solidarity, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday met with family members of beleaguered party leader Sanjay Raut, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case.

Mr. Thackeray visited Mr. Raut's residence in suburban Bhandup along with party MP Arvind Sawant, MLA Ravindra Waikar and Sena leader Milind Narvekar.

At Mr. Raut's residence, the former chief minister met the arrested Sena MP's mother, wife, daughters and other family members.

Also read: Arrested Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut sent to ED custody till August 4

Mr. Raut's mother and wife had turned emotional while he was being taken away by the ED on Sunday.

Later, at a press conference, Mr. Thackeray described Mr. Raut as a “close friend” and addressed him by his first name. He also hailed him as a "hardcore Shiv Sainik" who did not succumb to pressure.

Taking a dig at the former CM over his gesture, Deepak Kesarkar, the spokesperson of the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, welcomed Mr. Thackeray visiting the residence of Mr. Raut, but said he did not meet other party leaders who were being probed by central agencies.