Vikrant Shekhawat : Jan 04, 2025, 11:40 AM
Maharashtra Politics: Recently, Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana praised Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, which created a stir in the political corridors. Fadnavis's work was praised in Saamana and he was even called 'Gadchiroli ka Messiah' for the work done in Gadchiroli. After this, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut clarified that this praise is not any kind of softness or warmth towards the BJP, as some people may understand.Raut said in an interview to an English newspaper, "We have always spoken the truth and if someone's good work is appreciated, it does not change our strategy." He also said that Shiv Sena has always appreciated the good work of its rivals, but this does not mean that his party is coming closer to BJP. Criticizing Shinde and his party, Raut said that in the last two and a half years they have not done anything special and if they did good for Maharashtra, they would also have been appreciated.Sanjay Raut praised Fadnavis and said that if he intends to make a Naxal-affected district like Gadchiroli a steel city and implement development projects there, Shiv Sena will welcome it wholeheartedly. He also said that when a government does not belong to your ideology but takes good steps, it deserves praise.The matter came to light when 11 Naxalites surrendered before Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Gadchiroli on Wednesday. Following this development, Saamana praised Fadnavis for his struggle and development work and presented him as the messiah of Gadchiroli. This praise also criticised Eknath Shinde, who is currently the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.Thus, Shiv Sena (UBT) did not see Fadnavis' praise as a change in its strategy but as just a fair praise. Raut made it clear that he always appreciates positive work, irrespective of the party it belongs to, but it does not mean that his party has started showing any warmth towards BJP.