Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday said that BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis will also vote for Shiv Sena if the control of the Enforcement Directorate is given to his party.
His reaction comes in the backdrop of Shiv Sena candidate Sanjay Pawar losing his sixth seat from Maharashtra on Friday, a contest that had become a high-profile battle between the ruling Sena and the opposition BJP in the state.
Fadnavis, the leader of the opposition in the state assembly, is credited for the BJP’s victory in the sixth seat, which was won by the party’s candidate Dhananjay Mahadik defeating Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Pawar.
Read also | Rajya Sabha result: Sanjay Raut calls BJP’s victory the mandate of horse-trading
Raut had alleged before the elections that the BJP was using central agencies to pressurize independents and smaller parties to vote in favor of BJP candidates.
Independents and smaller parties, some of which had promised support to the Shiv Sena, played a key role in the BJP’s victory.
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Raut said, “If we are given the command of ED for two days, then Devendra Fadnavis will also vote for us.”
Shiv Sena’s chief spokesperson on Saturday termed the BJP’s victory in three Rajya Sabha seats in Maharashtra as a mandate of horse-trading. He also accused the Election Commission (EC) of favoring the opposition party, which he claimed “put pressure” on the Election Commission.
“Some horses were up for sale at a higher price and our candidate switched sides despite assurances of his vote,” he had said.
Read also | We will shed our blood but won’t let Hindutva die: Sanjay Raut at Shiv Sena’s mega rally
When asked about these comments, Raut said on Sunday, “We only expressed our feelings. They (who didn’t vote for Shiv Sena) as well as BJP know what we are saying.
Raut had earlier said that three MLAs of Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), an independent MLA from Karmala Sanjaymama Shinde, Swabhimani Paksha MLA Devendra Bhuyar and PWP MLA Shyamsunder Shinde did not vote for the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (including MVA-Shiv Sena). . NCP and Congress), despite giving assurances to do so.
The Shiv Sena leader said that he has taken note of the development and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was upset over the defeat of Sanjay Pawar.