A fresh political controversy erupted on Tuesday (June 3, 2025), after senior BJP leader and Maharashtra’s Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan fired back at Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut, calling him a “broker” who has single-handedly caused more damage to Uddhav Thackeray’s party than any political opponent.

The reaction came after Raut, in a sharp political jibe, said that Girish Mahajan would be the first to desert the BJP in case the party lost power in the State. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Mr. Mahajan dismissed the charge and turned the tables on Raut, alleging that his daily “sensationalist” statements have pushed Shiv Sena (UBT) to the verge of collapse.

“Every morning, Sanjay Raut wakes up and calls journalists just to make headlines,” Mahajan said. “He thinks issuing controversial statements helps his party, but the truth is, with someone like Raut inside, Uddhav Thackeray doesn’t need an external enemy. Raut is doing the job better than any opponent.”

The BJP MLA from north Maharashtra accused Raut of driving a wedge between the party’s leadership and the grassroots cadre. “Brokers like Raut have alienated loyal leaders and karyakartas from the Shiv Sena (UBT). Since the 2019 assembly elections, when the Sena broke away from the BJP, it was Raut’s influence that led Uddhav Thackeray to ally with the Congress and NCP under Sharad Pawar, a move that damaged his party more than anything else,” Mahajan added.

Mr. Mahajan also accused Sanjay Raut of destabilising internal party unity and fuelling factionalism. “If Uddhav Thackeray fails to rein in Raut now, the party’s downfall is inevitable,” he warned, adding that Sena workers themselves are disillusioned with Raut’s conduct.

Responding to Raut’s remarks about possible desertion, Mahajan asserted his own loyalty and credibility, stating: “I am a Swayamsevak and a seven-time MLA. I have never switched sides, even when I was in Opposition for twenty years. Unlike Raut, I won’t compromise the party’s integrity for media limelight.”

Mr. Mahajan further clarified that despite receiving multiple offers over the years to join other political formations, he remained steadfast with the BJP and contributed to the party’s consistent electoral growth in Maharashtra.

Sanjay Raut, known for his outspoken nature, has often taken sharp jabs at BJP leaders, particularly Girish Mahajan and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. But political observers note that his comments have also sparked internal criticism within the Shiv Sena (UBT). Many within the party feel that Raut’s aggressive tone and abrasive media strategy have alienated fence-sitters, especially during the crucial post-2019 realignment phase.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) continues to grapple with internal leadership challenges after the split in 2022 that saw Eknath Shinde walk away with a significant chunk of MLAs and form a parallel Shiv Sena government with BJP’s support. Since then, the Uddhav faction has struggled to maintain relevance amid growing dissent and electoral losses.

Political analysts believe that continued infighting and public rebukes among opposition leaders could erode voter trust ahead of the upcoming civic and state elections. “The public fighting between Mahajan and Raut is not just political theatre; it reflects the deeper crisis of confidence within Maharashtra’s opposition ranks,” said a Mumbai-based analyst.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders see this opportunity to consolidate their narrative that the Opposition is rudderless and marked by ego-driven conflicts. “While they fight among themselves, we focus on governance,” said a BJP spokesperson, responding to the Mahajan-Raut war of words.

The latest clash is a reminder of how personality-driven politics continues to overshadow strategic dialogue in Maharashtra. As election season inches closer, such sparring may either hurt the Opposition further or force them to introspect and mend internal rifts before it’s too late

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