Shinde camp ‘purchased’ Shiv Sena name and symbol for ₹2,000 crore, claims Sanjay Raut

Sanjay Raut said ₹2,000 crore is not a small amount to "purchase" the name Shiv Sena

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut on February 19 claimed a "deal of ₹2,000 crore" has taken place so far to "purchase" the Shiv Sena party name and its 'bow and arrow' symbol.

However, MLA Sada Sarvankar from the camp led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde dismissed the claim and asked, "Is Sanjay Raut a cashier?"

Also Read | EC recognising Shinde faction as real Shiv Sena an act of ‘political violence’: Sanjay Raut

Mr. Raut in a tweet claimed the ₹2,000 crore was a preliminary figure and this was 100% true. He also told reporters that a builder close to the ruling dispensation shared this information with him.

The Rajya Sabha member said his claim was backed by proof which he would disclose soon.

The Election Commission on Friday recognised the Eknath Shinde-led faction as the real Shiv Sena and ordered allocation of the 'bow and arrow' poll symbol to it.

In a 78-page order on the protracted battle for control of the organisation, the EC allowed the Uddhav Thackeray faction to keep the "flaming torch" poll symbol allocated to it till the completion of the Assembly bypolls in the State.