Nashik: Sanjay Raut’s Tweet Stalls Mama Rajwade, Sunil Bagul’s BJP Entry

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) group’s Nashik metropolitan chief Mama Rajwade and deputy leader Sunil Bagul, who were preparing to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have reportedly been denied immediate entry by the saffron party’s high command. The development comes amid mounting political friction and a social media outburst by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, which is believed to have influenced the BJP’s decision.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) unit in Nashik was jolted last week after senior leader Vilas Shinde defected to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction. In a counter move, the UBT group swiftly appointed Rajwade, a close aide of Bagul, as the Nashik metropolitan chief. However, within 24 hours of his appointment, an assault case was registered against both Rajwade and Bagul. Although both were reportedly not present at the scene of the incident, the police launched a search operation after registering the complaint. With neither leader traceable, they were declared absconders.

Subsequently, Rajwade and Bagul filed anticipatory bail pleas and went underground. The hearing for both applications is scheduled for July 5. The BJP is reportedly waiting for the court’s observation before deciding whether to induct the two leaders.

Following speculation that the two were to join the BJP on Thursday morning, Raut took to social media with a scathing post. “The greatness of the Bharatiya Jamava-Jamav Party: First, false cases were filed against Shiv Sena office bearers in Nashik. All these office bearers went to court for anticipatory bail. All of them absconded as the police were going to arrest them… The culmination is that all these absconders are joining the BJP today! The BJP has paved the way for Maharashtra, power, money and terrorism! Nothing else!” he wrote.

Following Raut’s criticism, speculation is rife in political circles that the BJP has hit pause on the entry of Rajwade and Bagul. Party insiders suggest that admitting the duo could have damaged the image of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, and could send a wrong message to the electorate.

As of now, the BJP leadership is said to have deferred any decision on welcoming Bagul and Rajwade until after the court’s verdict.