"Nana Patole, Sanjay Raut in competition for issuing controversial statements": Shiv Sena's Shaina takes swipe at MVA leaders

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 22 (ANI): Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC on Friday took aim at Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, accusing them of being in competition as to who gives more controversial statements to grab the media limelight. She was reacting to the 'note jihad' allegations raised by Nana Patole against the BJP.
"Nana Patole and Sanjay Raut are in a competition as to who gives more controversial statements only to hog the media limelight," Shaina told ANI.
"The people who have the audacity to talk about 'note jihad' are the ones who have been propagating 'vote jihad', liquor jihad and all kinds of ill practices during elections. I am absolutely firm that it is going to be the Mahayuti that is coming to power. Their (MVA) vote has sunk and that is why they are left with no other statements but this. So, they are making controversial statements," she added.
On Thursday, responding to the BJP's allegation of "vote jihad", Patole accused the party of distributing money and liquor in Maharashtra. "Was it note jihad," he asked.
"The way BJP leader was held distributing money, so, was it note jihad? Due to fear of losing BJP trying to win elections by distributing money and liquor in Maharashtra," he alleged.
Voting for the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly took place on Wednesday with a voter turnout of 66.05 per cent. The results will be announced on tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut dismissed Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole's alleged remarks on Thursday that a Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government will be formed in the state and said that "no one will accept this."
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Raut said that the matter needs to be collectively discussed with the alliance.
"I will not accept this, and no one else will accept this. We will sit together and decide if Nana Patole has said this and whether Nana Patole has the Congress high command's backing. The Congress high command has said that if you (Patole) are becoming the Chief Minister, then Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Sonia Gandhi should announce it," Raut said.
Earlier, Patole had claimed that Congress would lead the MVA government in Maharashtra based on the voting trends and public feedback. The Congress Maharashtra Chief said, "Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government will be formed in Maharashtra under the leadership of Congress." (ANI)