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Sanjay Raut, a member of the Shiv Sena (UBT), launched a fierce critique of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde following the results of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections on Saturday. Raut accused Shinde of betrayal, asserting that if he had remained loyal to the party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would never have gained a foothold in the city's municipal body. He claimed that the Marathi people would remember Shinde as a "Jaychand."

In a social media post, Raut referenced the historical figure Jaychand, a Rajput ruler known for his betrayal of Prithviraj Chauhan by siding with Muhammad Ghori. He stated that had Eknath Shinde not acted as Shiv Sena's Jaychand, the BJP would not have secured the mayoral position in Mumbai. Raut elaborated that the BJP is creating divisions among opposition parties to strengthen its power in various states.

Raut emphasized that the BJP wins elections by turning individuals into 'Jaychands.' He questioned the BJP's strength, suggesting that they rely on breaking apart other parties to achieve victory. He further challenged Shinde's political stature, claiming it is negligible. Raut remarked that while in power, people may salute Shinde, but once out of power, they would throw shoes at his vehicles. Commenting on the BMC results, he noted that the Chief Minister possesses vast powers, including access to police, funds, and administrative resources, which typically lead to such outcomes.

Raut asserted that the Chief Minister's unlimited authority, including police and financial resources, would yield similar results regardless of who held the position. He pointed out that the most significant battle was in Mumbai and insisted that the BJP's victory should not be taken for granted. He believed that the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) deserved more seats than they received, estimating they should have secured around 15. Raut stated that they lost by a narrow margin of 10 to 15 seats but emphasized that the opposition's strength within the BMC is comparable to that of the ruling party. He concluded by asserting that Shiv Sena (UBT) and its allies would keep a tight rein on the ruling coalition, declaring that they have 105 members in the BMC and would not allow the city to be sold off. He vowed to end the reign of contractors, even if it costs them their lives.