With Sanjay Raut in ED custody, Uddhav Thackeray returns as editor of Sena mouthpiece Saamana

With Sanjay Raut remanded to ED custody, Uddhav Thackeray has returned as the editor of Saamana, the Shiv Sena mouthpiece.

Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has taken charge as editor of Shiv Sena mouthpiece, Saamana. The development follows after Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate last week in connection with a land scam case. Uddhav Thackeray has taken over the post of editor-in-chief of Saamana, while Sanjay Raut continues as executive editor of Sena mouthpiece.

Uddhav Thackeray had resigned as Saamana editor after he became chief minister. Uddhav's wife, Rashmi, was made editor-in-chief of Saamana in March 2020.

The newspaper will likely witness a major change with Uddhav Thackeray returning as the editor. The daily is published in Marathi and Hindi languages. With the return of Uddhav Thackeray as editor and with Sanjay Raut in ED custody, there is a possibility that Uddhav Thackeray will use the mouthpiece to hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party and other opponents in the coming days.

Sanjay Raut used to write editorial in Saamana and a Sunday column Rokhthok. It's still a question as to who will take over the Sane MP’s column. But since Uddhav Thackeray has become the editor-in-chief, there is a possibility that he may write columns as well.

Shiv Sena has been using the Saamana editorials to express its position on various issues. In the past few years, the paper has criticised the BJP on several issues. With the recent political upheaval in Maharashtra politics that was triggered by Eknath Shinde’s rebellion it remains to be seen if Uddhav Thackeray will take up the pen to continue this trend.

Notably, in today’s daily, NCP leader Jitendra Ahwad's birthday advertisement has been published on the very front page of Saamana. An attempt has been made to dissuade the rebel MLAs of Shiv Sena by putting out an advertisement with the caption "Another name for loyalty is Ahwad". Significantly, a leader of another political party has been advertised on the front page. This is also seen as a taunt to rebel Sena MLAs.