Mumbai: In a shocking news that has come to light on Wednesday, January 1 2025, Sanjay Raut was assaulted by Shiv Sena UBT workers at Matoshree, Uddhav Thackeray’s residence in Mumbai’s Bandra. The Sena UBT MP was not only attacked but also locked in a room by enraged party workers, as per reports. It is also alleged that the altercation occurred in front of Uddhav Thackeray during a recent party meeting.

What Exactly Happened At Matoshree?

The whole drama unfolded during a meeting recently held by the Sena UBT chief to assess his party’s position in Mumbai, where civic polls are likely to be held in a few months. According to a report, Raut was involved in a heated verbal spat with party workers which later turned into a nightmare for him.

During the meeting, some UBT workers alleged that the party has suffered a lot in recent times due to Raut’s remarks and his stance. The Sena UBT MP got irked over the allegations and ignited a heated exchange. The verbal spat then turned into a fight as enraged Sena UBT workers charged against Raut and assaulted him. He was also reportedly locked in a room for several hours.

Social media is flooded with numerous reports claiming that Sanjay Raut was badly thrashed by his own party workers and later held captive in a room. However, neither Sanjay Raut nor Uddhav Thackeray or any other senior leader from the party has come forward and commented on the reports.

Sena UBT Likely To Contest BMC Polls Alone

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena UBT spokesperson Anand Dubey recently hinted at the possibility of the party contesting the upcoming Mumbai local body elections independently, without forming an alliance with the Congress and Sharad Pawar-led NCP.

Speaking to Media on December 30, Dubey revealed that Shiv Sainiks from across Maharashtra are urging the party leadership to go solo in the elections. He emphasized the advantages of such a move, stating, “Contesting alone boosts the enthusiasm of our workers and allows more candidates to participate in the electoral process.”

While Dubey highlighted the growing demand from the grassroots level for an independent contest, he clarified that the ultimate decision rests with the party high command.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly condemned the ‘mini-Pakistan’ remark made by Nitesh Rane, BJP’s minister in Maharashtra. On Monday (December 30), Vijayan said the remarks were “deeply provocative and deplorable”.

The Kerala CM said that Rane’s comments reflected mentality of ‘Sangh Parivar” towards the state.

Nitesh Rane said earlier that Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were elected to parliament from Kerala because the state was ‘mini-Pakistan’.

He said that wherever Sangh Parivar faces difficulty in gaining influence, it uses hate campaigns and divisive narratives to obtain.

“The statement by Maharashtra BJP Minister Nitesh Rane, labelling Kerala as “Mini Pakistan,” is deeply provocative and deplorable. It reflects the fundamental approach of the Sangh Parivar towards Kerala. The Sangh Parivar believes they can marginalise and isolate regions where they struggle to establish influence through hate campaigns and divisive narratives. Rane’s statement is a direct example of this strategy,” the statement read.

Vijayan further slammed central government for not addressing the issue of Rane’s provocative comment. He said that remarks were violation of constitutional norms and oath of office a minister takes.

“A minister who makes such hate-filled remarks is unfit to hold office. It is astonishing that the leadership of the ruling party at the centre has chosen not to react to this blatant violation of constitutional values and the minister’s oath of office,” he added.

Pune (Maharashtra), Dec 31: After posting a video statement, absconder Walmik Karad — a prime suspect in the sensational broad daylight murder of Massajog (Beed) Sarpanch Santosh Pandit Deshmukh on December 9 — surrendered to the CID, Pune, here on Tuesday morning.

Karad – on the run for the past 22 days — claimed innocence in an extortion case he had been booked for. He gave himself up after a series of measures by the state police to zero in on him.

In his statement, he contended that he was implicated in a false case of extortion on December 12 — which is now being linked with the Beed Sarpanch murder case, though his name doesn’t figure in this (murder) — said that he was prepared to cooperate with the investigators and also ready for any punishment.

A former domestic helper at the home of Maharashtra’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Cabinet Minister Dhananjay P. Munde, Karad was later elected as a municipal councillor, but abruptly ‘disappeared’ as politics went on a massive boil.

Subsequently, deploying tech intel, the police tracked his movements to Pune and Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) and initiated the process to seize his properties, freeze bank accounts, other assets, etc.

Post-surrender, Karad is undergoing a questioning session with top police and CID officials, after which he is likely to be arrested and produced before a designated court for remand, an official indicated.

The deceased Sarpanch’s daughter Vaibhavi S. Deshmukh expressed satisfaction over Karad’s surrender, but demanded that even the other absconding culprits must be arrested and punished “to ensure justice to my father”.

“The police must scan the CDR of his (Karad) mobile, and find out all those who had helped him in any manner, arrest and give them the most stringent punishment under the law,” she demanded, her eyes moist with tears.

Nationalist Congress Party (SP) General Secretary Dr Jitendra Awhad alleged that “everything is planned and orchestrated” and Karad is reportedly named as an ‘accused’ in a murder case lodged with Parli (Beed) Police.

Leaders of multiple political parties have said that Karad is booked/wanted/accused in several big and small cases but has continued to thrive owing to political patronage.

Shivba Sanghatana chief Manoj Jarange-Patil said that now Karad is in the police clutches, the investigators should arrest the other fugitives and reiterated that “Karad was supported by his political masters”, warning against any attempts to ‘protect him’.

The Sarpanch murder snowballed into a national political storm with condemnation from Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale, Congress’ Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Pawar, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) President Prakash Ambedkar and other bigwigs.

The issue had also figured in the state legislature during the recent Winter Session in Nagpur, at least three all-party protest marches were taken out in Beed, Latur and Parbhani in support of the Deshmukh family.

In a move of solidarity, 543 Gram Panchayats in Gondia, 491 in Washim and 205 in Yavatmal districts are observing a 3-day shutdown to condemn the Massajog (Beed) Sarpanch’s murder, and over the next few days, more Gram Panchayats are expected to follow suit.