
Sanjay Raut Hints At Third Deputy CM From Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena Faction
Mumbai, 25th January 2025: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday criticized Shiv Sena chief and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, hinting at discord within Shinde’s party and predicting the emergence of a third deputy chief minister from the same faction.
Speaking to reporters, Raut, a Rajya Sabha MP, stated that developments behind the scenes could lead to Maharashtra having three deputy chief ministers in the near future.
“Eknath Shinde should not be taken seriously. He is a deputy chief minister now but was the chief minister yesterday. Tomorrow, he may lose even that position, as Maharashtra is likely to get a third deputy chief minister from his party. He should reflect on this,” Raut remarked.
Raut further accused Shinde of aligning with forces working against Maharashtra’s interests, indirectly referring to the BJP, an ally of Shinde’s faction.
These comments come shortly after Raut alleged that Industries Minister Uday Samant might break away from Shinde’s leadership, claiming Samant has the backing of 20 MLAs.
Raut had also claimed that when Shinde was dissatisfied after being denied the chief ministerial post following the state elections last November, there were discussions about Samant stepping in.
However, Samant dismissed rumours of any rift, affirming his loyalty to Shinde and attributing such speculations to attempts to create division.
Currently, Maharashtra has two deputy chief ministers, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar of the NCP.