Sanjay Raut's 'Pregnant' Jibe Amid Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Defections

In a fresh escalation of the ongoing political rivalry in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut launched a sharp and controversial verbal attack on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Raut's remarks came amid reports and subsequent confirmations that six Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) faction were defecting to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Raut, known for his fiery rhetoric, stated that Eknath Shinde had been 'pregnant' and had now 'delivered six MPs.' He further specified that this 'delivery' took place at 'Nandanvan,' referring to Shinde's official residence, where the rebel MPs reportedly gathered before their formal induction into the Shinde faction. This metaphorical attack was widely reported across credible Indian news outlets, including DNA India, The Times of India, and The New Indian Express, corroborating the accuracy of the quote and its context. The latest comments by Raut followed a previous controversy just days earlier, where he had used the derogatory term 'ga**u' (a traitor or dishonest person) to refer to lawmakers contemplating defection. Raut later defended his use of such language, asserting that it was appropriate for 'traitors and dishonest people in society and in politics.' The context article about Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Narayan Rane dismissing Raut's allegations and calling him a 'gutter-Chaap character' further highlights the intensely acrimonious nature of the political discourse surrounding the Shiv Sena split. The defection of the six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs represents a significant setback for the Uddhav Thackeray camp. The MPs expected to join the Shinde faction included Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar. Speculation about their switch intensified after all six notably skipped a Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary party meeting in Delhi on June 17, 2026. Two of these MPs, Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar and Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar, had reportedly already confirmed their decision to leave the Uddhav-led faction. Leaders from the Eknath Shinde faction have welcomed these developments. Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik indicated that the MPs were impressed by the leadership of Eknath Shinde and Lok Sabha MP Shrikant Shinde. He also stated that these MPs had submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla regarding their decision, attributing their move to a desire to follow the ideology of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. Eknath Shinde himself declared that 'Operation Tiger is complete' after the formal crossover, marking another split in the Uddhav Thackeray camp following the party's initial rupture in June 2022. Beyond the MPs, reports suggest further challenges for the Shiv Sena (UBT), with claims emerging from the Shinde faction that 14 out of the 20 Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs are also preparing to either form a separate faction or join the Shinde camp. This potential exodus has prompted the Thackeray faction to call an emergency meeting to address the growing concerns about poaching. The ongoing defections underscore the deep fissures within the Shiv Sena following its 2022 split, which led to Eknath Shinde forming a new coalition government with the BJP after Uddhav Thackeray resigned as Chief Minister. Uddhav Thackeray, in response to these defections, asserted that there could only be one Shiv Sena, accusing the rebel MPs of abandoning the party for personal political gain and financial incentives. Sanjay Raut has also repeatedly alleged that the rebel MPs were 'bought' for substantial sums of money, an accusation that has been a recurring theme in the rhetoric from the Shiv Sena (UBT) camp. This continuous political maneuvering and the aggressive verbal exchanges characterize the volatile political landscape in Maharashtra, with significant implications for the upcoming elections and the balance of power in the state. This article accurately reports on the statements made by Sanjay Raut and the political developments surrounding the defection of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs. The headline, while using Raut's sensational quote, accurately reflects the core events and his rhetorical style. Credible sources corroborate the claims, and there is no apparent misinformation, though the language used by Raut himself is highly exaggerated and metaphorical within the political context. The news clearly falls under the category of 'Politics' and is specific to India, particularly the state of Maharashtra.

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