Shiv Sena leader’s remarks about Uddhav Thackeray-Eknath Shinde ‘meeting’ spark furore

Sena MP Sanjay Raut dismisses actor and Sena leader Deepali Sayed’s tweet as ‘irresponsible’ 

The twists and turns in the Shiv Sena saga since Eknath Shinde’s intra-party rebellion continued unabated after a tweet by Sena leader and Marathi actor Deepali Sayed suggesting parleys between Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Mr. Shinde, the new Maharashtra Chief Minister, sparked a furore in the State’s political circles on Sunday.

In her tweet, Ms. Sayed said: “Feeling better after knowing that in two days’ time, Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, respecting the sentiments of Shiv Sena workers, will be coming together and holding talks for the first time [since Mr. Shinde’s revolt]. It is clear that Mr. Shinde has understood the torment in the minds of the Shiv Sainiks and Mr. Thackeray has displayed magnanimity as ‘head of the family’.”

She further thanked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders for helping to ‘mediate’ (between Mr. Thackeray and Mr. Shinde) without naming who they were.

However, Sena MP Sanjay Raut, the spokesperson of the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction, dismissed Ms. Sayed’s remarks as “irresponsible” while stating that only spokespersons or senior leaders in the party had the right to make such statements.

“I don’t know who has given her [Ms. Sayed] the right to make such statements… She is an actor who happens to be working for the party. She may be a party worker, but not a designated spokesperson of the Shiv Sena. She ought to take care while making such statements,” Mr. Raut said, speaking in Delhi on Sunday.

At the same time, the MP said that despite the 40-odd Sena MLAs in the Shinde camp squarely blaming him for allegedly trying to “finish-off” the party, Mr. Raut said he would be happy if both factions came together again.  

Responding to Mr. Raut, Ms. Sayed, speaking to reporters in Mumbai, said she merely wanted to express what was in the minds of ordinary Shiv Sainiks through her tweet.