A massive political row has erupted in Maharashtra after Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe alleged that positions in the undivided Shiv Sena under Uddhav Thackeray were secured through gifts, including Mercedes cars.
Gorhe’s remarks, made at the 98th All India Marathi Literary Meet in Delhi, sparked outrage, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders accusing her of dragging politics into a literary event. "Under Uddhav Thackeray, two Mercedes meant one post," Gorhe claimed, hinting at alleged corruption within the party before its split.
The controversy escalated further when Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Sirsat added fuel to the fire. Defending Gorhe’s remarks, he stated, "What Neelam Gorhe said yesterday, don’t take it just in terms of a Mercedes. If everyone starts giving Mercedes, there won't be space to keep them. What she meant was that give money, get a position, and to some extent, this is true."
Mumbai, Maharashtra: On Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Neelam Gorhe's statement, Shiv Sena leader and Minister Sanjay Sirsat says, "What Neelam Gorhe said yesterday, don’t take it just in terms of a Mercedes. If everyone starts giving Mercedes, there won't be space to keep them. What she… pic.twitter.com/AcbUx3PugM
— IANS (@ians_india) February 24, 2025
Uddhav Thackeray, responding to the allegations, dismissed them as baseless. "Show me where those cars are. These individuals are politically irrelevant to me. She is a woman, and out of respect, I prefer not to say anything more," Thackeray told reporters.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut slammed Gorhe for making such statements at a literary meet and demanded an explanation from the organizers. He questioned whether there was political pressure behind her remarks.
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve, also hit back, saying, "If what Gorhe said was true, there would have been a line of Mercedes cars at Matoshree. I rose from being an ordinary worker in Marathwada, and the party never asked me for a single rupee."
