Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 18: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has claimed that the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre could collapse within six months, hinting at a possible change in leadership. He made the remarks amid opposition protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and demands for action over alleged irregularities in the electoral process.

Protests have been held in Delhi and other parts of the country, with the INDIA bloc preparing to organise a major demonstration at Ramlila Maidan in the national capital. Opposition leaders have also been predicting a change in the political situation at the Centre.

Commenting on the possibility of a change in leadership, Raut said he could name the person who might replace Prime Minister Narendra Modi but declined to reveal the name.

“I can tell you the name of the person who will replace Modi, but I will not reveal it now. Regime change means regime change,” he said.

Raut also launched a sharp attack on the Maharashtra government over the prevailing drought situation, claiming that the crisis was more serious than the drought of 1972, which he said he had witnessed during former prime minister Indira Gandhi’s tenure.

He pointed out that drought had never previously been declared in the Konkan region and questioned the state government's preparedness to deal with the situation.

Claiming that Maharashtra needed Rs 50,000 crore to tackle the drought, Raut accused the government of providing inadequate financial assistance to farmers. He alleged that farmers had been given only Rs 5,000 while substantial amounts were being spent during elections.

Raut cited the recent election to the Someshwar cooperative sugar factory in Baramati, alleging that around Rs 25 crore to Rs 30 crore had been spent by a political group. He also alleged that gifts, including sarees, suits and gold ornaments, were distributed during teachers' and graduates' constituency elections.

Questioning the government's claims of financial difficulties, Raut alleged that ruling party leaders possessed substantial wealth despite the state's debt burden. He challenged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to explain the sources of the money held by leaders of the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led faction.

Raut claimed that recovering money allegedly accumulated by political leaders could help reduce the state's debt and provide the funds required to address the drought crisis. He further accused ruling party legislators and parliamentarians of exploiting government contracts through contractors.

Referring to the political slogan “50 khoke, ekdum okay”, which became associated with allegations of money being paid to legislators during the Maharashtra political crisis, Raut alleged that some leaders who had switched to the BJP were now displaying extravagant lifestyles.

The claims made by Raut regarding a possible change of government at the Centre and alleged financial misconduct in Maharashtra were political allegations and were not independently established in the material provided.