Sanjay Raut Summoned By Probe Agency, "Best Wishes" Says A Key Rival

Sanjay Raut is the most senior and vocal of the few leaders in his party that have not abandoned Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray

Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena has been summoned for questioning by the Enforcement Directorate tomorrow. The timing will reinforce the belief that the agency is being used by the central government to punish its rivals - Mr Raut is the most senior and vocal of the few leaders in his party that have not abandoned Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in the party's biggest crisis since it was founded in 1966.

"My best wishes to him," said Shrikant Shinde, minutes after the news broke of Mr Raut's questioning, a statement which only serves to underscore the BJP's co-parenting of the crisis in the Sena with Mr Shinde's father, Eknath Shinde.

A week ago, Mr Shinde (Senior) pulled out of Mumbai in the middle of the night in a luxury bus. With him were a group of about 20 MLAs. The BJP's role as designated driver was evidenced by the bus delivering its cargo to Surat with the state police providing ample escort.

It was immediately obvious that Mr Shinde had turned on the Chief Minister, who is also his party boss. Emissaries from Mr Thackeray were able to meet some of the rebels accompanying Mr Shinde. That prompted a relocation to a five-star in Guwahati in the hope that on this front at least, the Assam border would be less porous and make in-person contact with the rebels impossible for Mr Thackeray.