The Bharatiya Janata Party and its Mahayuti allies swept the Maharashtra municipal elections, prompting Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut to cry foul over ‘Jaychands’—traitors within the opposition camp. Speaking to reporters, Raut vented frustration over what he called self-inflicted wounds that cost the MVA dearly.
Polls in cities like Thane, Ulhasnagar, and others witnessed impressive turnouts, with BJP candidates clinching key positions. Raut painted a picture of sabotage, accusing certain leaders of secretly aligning with the ruling coalition. ‘Our own Jaychands ensured BJP’s victory,’ he said, referencing the legendary betrayer from folklore.
Detailed results show BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) dominating ward-level contests, bolstered by Eknath Shinde’s faction’s resurgence. Raut argued that unified opposition efforts could have flipped outcomes, blaming ‘greedy defectors’ for diluting the anti-BJP vote.
Shaina NC, BJP’s vocal face, hit back with equal force. ‘Raut’s Jaychand fairy tale is laughable. Maharashtra’s people chose development over drama,’ she stated in a TV interview. NC emphasized BJP’s door-to-door campaigning and governance record as real vote-winners.
These local victories fortify BJP’s grassroots machinery, vital for upcoming battles. Analysts note Raut’s comments reflect internal MVA tensions, especially after NCP and Congress faced setbacks. As recriminations fly, the political theater in Maharashtra heats up, promising more drama ahead of assembly polls.
Raut’s base cheers his unfiltered style, but critics see it as evading accountability for campaign missteps. Shaina NC’s rebuttal reinforces BJP’s narrative of opposition disarray, positioning them strongly for future contests.