New Delhi/Mumbai, Agency
In a political intervention that has set off ripples across New Delhi and Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has claimed that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is strongly backing a major transition, pushing to summon Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to the national capital to take on the mantle of Deputy Prime Minister.
Speaking to the media, Raut alleged that the saffron parivar is laying the groundwork to position a prominent leader from outside Delhi as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political successor, with Fadnavis emerging as the frontrunner for the high-profile post.
According to Raut, the RSS and core national leadership are orchestrating a move to bring Fadnavis to Delhi.
The design reportedly involves grooming Modi's ultimate successor and vesting them with the Deputy Prime Minister's office.
Launching a direct salvo at union Home Minister Amit Shah, Raut claimed that history dictates no former Home Minister has ever successfully ascended to the prime ministership.
He alleged that while Shah harbours intense ambitions for the top job, severe internal pushback is underway, with several senior ruling-party ministers reportedly issuing an ultimatum to the leadership over potential cabinet reshuffles.
Raut launched a scathing attack on the Centre's economic narrative, questioning the authenticity of soaring GDP figures.
He cynically remarked that distributing free rations to millions and handing out direct cash transfers to women cannot mask deep-rooted inflation, rampant unemployment, and economic distress.
Condemning the recent registration of a sedition-like case against MNS leader Amit Thackeray merely for displaying a photograph of PM Modi, Raut questioned the deteriorating state of democratic accountability and civil liberties.
Lashing out at the ruling faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Raut asserted that the core legal question remains whether the anti-defection law was brazenly violated.
He noted the irony of leaders who owe their political survival entirely to the original Shiv Sena constitution now turning around to challenge its legality.
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