Shiv Sena mouthpiece says ‘Original Shiv Sainiks’ not given a chance

While on the face of it, Shiv Sena maintains all is well in the party and there is no tiff in the party in regards to the cabinet expansion but Shiv Sena's mouthpiece Saamna has presented a contrary picture.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray expanded his month-old ministry on Monday by inducting 36 ministers which included 13 ministers from NCP and Shiv-Sena and 10 from Congress. Shiv Sena has used its quota to make way for three independent candidates, which seems to have not gone down well with the members of the party who feel that the "Original Shiv Sainiks" have been ignored. 

The editorial of Saamna reads as, "Independents like Bachchu Kadu, Shankar Rao Gadakh and Rajendra Yedravkar had to be given ministerial berths under the Shiv Sena quota and that is why some old stalwarts of the party could not be accommodated. This is probably the reason why Kolhapur MLA Prakash Abitkar could not be included in this Cabinet.

The remarks come at that time when it has been said that Sanjay Raut, who has been termed as the architect of the Maha Vikas Agadi government is not happy with the cabinet expansion and his brother Sunil Raut being denied the berth. His absence from the cabinet expansion ceremony too had invited a lot of questions.  

What added fuel to these speculations was his cryptic status on Facebook, which read, “Humesha aise vyakti ko sambhal ke rakhiye, jisne aapko ye teen bhent di ho - saath, samay aur samarpan... (Translation: Always take care of the person who is always there for you, has given you his time and dedication)".

While speaking to media later on Wednesday, Sanjay Raut dismissed all the conjecture, as he shared, “I am not disheartened with the cabinet expansion. My brother had never asked for a ministerial berth, these are rumours being spread about us. We look forward to contributing to the party and do not aspire for any position. No matter what, we will always be loyal to the Thackerays". 

The portfolio announcement is likely to happen today on January 2, it is worth seeing that will these conversations die down after this or will gather more steam.