In a fiery statement, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut openly challenged Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray to confront what he called the "Ahmed Shah Abdali and his betel nut gang" who, according to Raut, are looting Maharashtra. Speaking to the media, Raut took direct aim at several political figures, including Raj Thackeray, Amit Shah, Eknath Shinde, and Devendra Fadnavis, as he responded to the recent attack on Uddhav Thackeray's convoy in Thane.
Raut accused the attackers of being mercenaries connected to Eknath Shinde, labeling them as members of a "Supari gang" operating under the direction of a leader he likened to Ahmad Shah Abdali, the 18th-century Afghan ruler. "The attack on Uddhav Thackeray's convoy in Thane was carried out by Supari gang activists. Ahmed Shah Abdali, the head of this supari gang, is sitting in Delhi," Raut alleged. He further claimed that the attackers were not locals but were brought in from outside to execute the attack.
In his sharp critique, Raut warned those involved in the attack, hinting that power dynamics in Maharashtra could soon shift. "Are you doing this because you have power? After two months the power will also be in our hands. Then we also see where you are going to go, in which hole you are going to hide," he asserted.
Raut also accused "Ahmed Shah Abdali" of attempting to create divisions among the Marathi people of Maharashtra, with local leaders falling prey to his tactics. He emphasized that Shiv Sena had no involvement in the Beed incident, despite claims to the contrary, and urged Raj Thackeray to take responsibility for his own actions.
Addressing Thackeray directly, Raut said, "You are threatening us, let's see, then give the same threat to Ahmad Shah Abdali. The one who is looting Maharashtra, trampling Marathi identity under his feet, give him an appeal. If you dare, challenge Ahmad Shah Abdali and his betel nut gang who are looting Maharashtra."
Raut concluded by reaffirming his stance against external pressures, stating, "We are not afraid of ED. We went to jail." His bold remarks set the stage for an intense political battle, with the focus now on how Raj Thackeray and others will respond to his challenge.
