Sena ready for mid-term polls, says Sanjay Raut

Raut was talking to the media on the sidelines of a meeting with the leaders and officebearers of the Sena’s Pimpri-Chinchwad unit. (File)

SHIV Sena leader Sanjay Raut dared the state government on Saturday to hold mid-term elections, claiming the Sena was fully prepared for it. “From time to time, they are raising the bogey of mid-term elections… Instead of resorting to such tactics, they should hold mid-term elections. The Sena will fight on its own and is geared up for it,” he said.

Raut was talking to the media on the sidelines of a meeting with the leaders and officebearers of the Sena’s Pimpri-Chinchwad unit. Sena MPs Shivajirao Adhalrao-Patil and Shrirang Barne, MLA Gautam Chabukswar, city chief Rahul Kalate and other party leaders such as Sulbha Ubale, Amit Gawde and Vishal Yadav were also present at the meeting.

Pointing out the “deep differences” between the two parties, Raut said, “The BJP government in Maharashtra is not working in the interest of the people. I had said that there would be an earthquake if the government does not waive farm loans. Four days later, the government announced the loan waiver. But the farmers are still not benefiting from it. The loan waiver has got stuck in red tape. Sena ministers are pursuing the issue with the government.”

He further claimed the Sena had been “fighting” with the government for a long time over several issues. “After three years, the Opposition — Congress-NCP — has woken up and launching agitations,” he added. Raut said the Sena did not want to be “a partner in sin” and, therefore, whenever things went wrong, the party raised its voice.

“Whether it’s law and order, the GST or demonetisation issue, the Sena has always spoken its mind,” he added. He said the people in the country were angry over the “wrong policies pursued by the central government… And this was reflected in the Nanded civic polls, where people voted on national issues rather than the local issues”.