Ashish Shelar Criticizes Sanjay Raut Over Industrial Exit Allegations

Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar criticized Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut over claims regarding the exodus of industrial projects from Maharashtra. Shelar accused trade unions affiliated with Uddhav Thackeray's party of harassing companies, leading them to leave the state. He questioned the opposition's stance on several major projects.

Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar on Monday sharply criticized Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut for his claims about industrial projects leaving Maharashtra. Shelar alleged that trade unions linked to the Uddhav Thackeray-led party were creating a hostile environment for industrial units in the state.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and Congress, has often blamed the Eknath Shinde government for failing to retain projects and investments, which have reportedly moved to other states like Gujarat.

In a message on X, Shelar noted that companies such as L&T, Mahindra, Khambata, AFL Logistic, and Pune-based Bajaj Auto Ltd left Maharashtra because of pressure from these unions. He questioned the opposition to projects like Vedanta Foxconn and others, arguing that these moves contradicted claims of industrial decline in Maharashtra.

Drawing from history, Shelar accused the opposition of allying with the Congress of SK Patil and Morarji Desai, known for the 1955 Samyukta Maharashtra movement where 106 people were shot dead. He claimed, ''The hands of Congress have the blood of Marathi people who sacrificed their lives for Maharashtra state. History will never forgive you. You (Raut) are acting like a mad person who thinks the whole world is crazy except him.''