NEW DELHI: Amid speculation over a possible rift within Shiv Sena (UBT), party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday hurled abuses at suspected rebel MPs during a press conference, while asking the media not to edit out his remarks.Responding to allegations that he had used abusive language, Raut stated, “No abusive language. This is how it is used in Marathi. This is how it is used in Maharashtra. This is our regular language. The language that should be used, should be used. The language that is understood should be used. And when and which language should be used, I know. I am the editor of the Saamna. I know the language.”According to news agency ANI, he also questioned concerns over decorum and ethics, arguing that wrongdoing should be met with punishment.“The language is not used in Parliament. If someone is dishonest, what will you do with him? You will punish him. If someone is corrupt, he takes 15 crore rupees and leaves the party, what will you do with him? Will you punish him? Tell me.” he said.Commenting on speculation surrounding internal dissent within Shiv Sena (UBT), Raut said the party would continue to resist efforts aimed at weakening it.“As long as they have the capacity to do this to us… we will keep fighting,” he said.Addressing reports of a possible split and his meeting with the Lok Sabha Speaker, Raut clarified that he had only submitted a written representation concerning media reports suggesting a breakaway faction. “I didn’t talk about anything. I just went to see the news that was coming. That someone is separating from our party and making a new one. This is wrong. So, I gave a letter to the Speaker. Does anyone like this come to you? I have given a caveat. So, take care of the rules and regulations. Take care of the Supreme Court’s ruling. That’s all,” he said.According to news agency ANI, on whether any MPs had formally communicated dissent to the party leadership, Raut said, “No one has officially communicated with us. Yes. We have called for a party meeting tomorrow. We have called everyone.”Earlier in the day, during a press conference in the national capital attended by party MPs Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai, Raut launched a sharp attack on suspected rebel MPs and urged the media not to edit out his remarks.He warned that any leader wishing to leave the party should first resign from their position.“If anyone wants to go, they can resign and leave. If such reports emerge about our MPs, then they should refute them. This time, the people of Maharashtra will not remain silent,” he said.Following the controversy, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai came to Raut’s defence, saying the remarks were colloquial expressions and were not directed at any individual. “Whatever is said, these are slang; it is not meant for anyone particularly. When an emotionally sensitive person, who has spent 50 years of his life in politics in the public sphere, speaks, such things happen. He also clarified that he wasn’t addressing any particular person.” Desai said.The remarks come amid growing political speculation in Maharashtra over the future of Shiv Sena (UBT), with reports suggesting that a section of the party’s MPs may be considering a breakaway. However, no official announcement regarding any split has been made.The state is currently abuzz with discussions around “Operation Tiger”, amid reports that seven of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs are in touch with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and may join the ruling party. The development has drawn comparisons to the 2022 split, when Shinde and a group of MLAs broke away from Uddhav Thackeray, leading to a division within the party.BJP MP Jagdambika Pal criticised the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader for using abusive language and said it reflected frustration within the party. ” Will the political life fall to such a low ebb? The kind of language he has used is unimaginable even from an ordinary person. Perhaps it’s his frustration. He should introspect and consider why the party has experienced such a situation. It means no one has any faith in its leadership…” Pal said.Responding to the controversy, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi defended Raut and urged people to understand the emotions behind his remarks.“You have to understand the emotion…the kind of fight we fought, the party’s name and symbol were given to Eknath Shinde. That fight is still ongoing in the Supreme Court. Now another attempt is being made…these votes were not for our old party but for Uddhav Thackeray. The public trusted him and made them MPs…if someone loses confidence, they should resign…this is a betrayal of the public…the Speaker doesn’t belong to any party, he belongs to everyone…we have given him a letter to him…” she said.According to news agency ANI, on Sanjay Raut’s post and upcoming party meeting on June 18, she says, “no photos of the MPs have surfaced yet…in accordance with constitutional norms, we have written a letter to the Speaker and issued a whip. And anyone who violates the whip should be immediately disqualified…I hope that all six of the 6 MPs whose names are floating will keep in mind that they stand to be disqualified.Congress MP Imran Masood also reacted to the developments, claiming that opposition parties were being broken, threatened and suppressed to weaken democracy.“Opposition is being broken, threatened, and suppressed to weaken democracy. If MPs abandon the ideology they were elected on, they should resign before going, basic ethics demand it. Instead, fear of ED and CBI influences their decision…” Masood said.
