On Thursday morning, Raut informed reporters: “I can’t criticise or converse in opposition to anybody, be it central companies or the federal government. My social gathering and I’ve suffered. We gained’t oppose anybody only for the sake of opposing. If they’ve carried out good work, we’ll respect and welcome them. The present dispensation has additionally carried out some good work.”
He added: “These selections which can be good for the nation or the state ought to be welcomed. I welcome the selections taken by (Deputy Chief Minister) Devendra Fadnavis. I’ll meet Fadnavis very quickly. I’ll meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Dwelling minister Amit Shah quickly as nicely.”
Whereas initially the transfer appeared an try to reconcile with the BJP, it is also a strategic transfer to maintain the Central probing companies such because the Enforcement Directorate (EC) at bay and keep away from confrontation with the BJP, together with his case nonetheless being open.
Raut was arrested in a cash laundering case associated to the Patra Chawl housing undertaking rip-off on August 1 this 12 months and was granted bail on Wednesday. After his launch, Raut acquired a grand welcome by the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray Sena staff exterior the Mumbai central jail.
Addressing the employees quickly after his launch, Raut had given glimpses of his typical combative self, saying: “My household cried for the primary time after my launch. I informed them it’s not the time to cry, now could be the time to battle. We’ve to battle with full pressure. I’ve develop into free now. I’ll tackle the Opposition (BJP-Shinde) with full pressure. After they arrested me from this place… I had stated that I’ll want demise. I gained’t bow down or give up in entrance of Delhi.”
The chief even indicated that the BJP would remorse arresting him. “They don’t know what an enormous mistake they made by arresting me. It is going to be the largest mistake of their political profession. They’ll quickly realise it.”
This late evening charged deal with had enthralled Sainiks. They appeared to have been anticipating the identical stage of assault the following day in his first press convention too.
Nevertheless, Raut took everybody without warning on Thursday morning. With out attacking or blaming anybody, Raut welcomed a current assertion of Fadnavis’ when the deputy CM stated “the bitterness amongst the politicians ought to finish”. He went on to specific his want of assembly Fadnavis, Modi and Shah.
However instantly after this, former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and his members of the family hosted him at their residence Matoshree, erasing any doubts that may have emerged about troubles of their long-standing relationship. Raut additionally went on to reaffirm his dedication in direction of the social gathering there.
Raut stated “that each second” of his life was devoted to the Sena. “Right now, the courtroom stated the arrest was unlawful. Arrest me as many as you need, however I can’t depart the Sena.”
Reacting to Raut’s statements, Uddhav stated, “If Raut had an intention to settle circumstances in opposition to him, he wouldn’t have even spent 100 days in jail.”
Sources stated that the shift in Raut’s stance inside a day signifies some type of “negotiations between him and the BJP”. A pacesetter stated: “Raut has been in jail for over 100 days. He clearly doesn’t want to be in that ambiance, even because the courtroom made observations in his favour. It simply looks as if it’s his technique to keep away from confrontation between him and the BJP or with Shinde faction, together with his case nonetheless pending.”
The Ekanth Shinde-led Balsahebanchi Shiv Sena, nevertheless, feels the transfer is a part of Raut’s “private agenda”. In addition they pose questions on Uddhav and Raut’s relationship, in relation to what they name the “contradictory statements” of the leaders over the BJP.
“On the one hand, Uddhav Thackeray is criticising the BJP and alleging that the Central companies are concentrating on Opposition events. Then there may be Raut who’s praising Fadnavis. This exhibits that one thing is amiss between them,” stated Kiran Pawaskar, the spokesperson of the Babasahebanchi Shiv Sena.
“Raut could also be making an attempt to keep away from confrontation to purchase a while to analyse the state of affairs earlier than making his first transfer. This manner, he can have time to guage what all transpired in whereas he was in jail. Placing everybody in confusion after which making a transfer when the Opposition has its defences down, is also his technique,” one other senior social gathering chief stated.