Maharashtra: Congress MLC Rejects Raut’s Rs 20 Core Defection Offer Claim
Yesterday, Congress MLC Lingade was approached with an offer of Rs 20 crore. I have this information: Mr. Raut
MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday alleged that Maharashtra Congress MLC Dheeraj Lingade was offered Rs 20 crore to defect, triggering a political controversy. However, Mr. Lingade rejected the claim, saying he was surprised by the allegation and had received no such offer.
Mr. Raut’s remarks come a fortnight after the “Operation Tiger” drive led by Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, under which six MPs from the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction joined the ruling Shiv Sena. The comments also follow another setback for the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, with senior leader and MLC Sachin Ahir, considered a close aide of Aaditya Thackeray, joining the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Alleging that the ruling alliance was attempting to engineer defections among Opposition leaders, Mr. Raut said that Mr. Lingade had been offered Rs 20 crore to switch parties. He, however, did not specify who allegedly made the offer or which party the Congress MLC was expected to join.
Mr. Raut said Opposition leaders and elected representatives were being systematically targeted and lured to defect. "Yesterday, Congress MLC Lingade was approached with an offer of Rs 20 crore. I have this information," he said.
Mr. Raut further said political leaders should know "where to draw the line". "Those who are constantly trying to poach leaders from other parties ultimately do not meet a good end," he said, adding that such political practices had no place in a democracy.
He also alleged that the money being used to engineer defections had come from the "loot" of funds meant for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Responding to the allegations, Mr. Lingade dismissed them as baseless. “I am surprised that Maha Vikas Aghadi leader Sanjay Raut can make such a statement about my defection. This allegation is wrong,” the Congress MLC said, adding that he had received no such offer.
Senior BJP leader and Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan also rejected Mr. Raut’s claims, describing them as baseless. He said Mr. Raut frequently made such allegations without producing evidence.
Taking a swipe at the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Mr. Mahajan said that instead of levelling accusations against other parties, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) should focus on strengthening its own organisation.
