Amid fight over Rajya Sabha seats, Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut says “BJP wants to do horse-trading in Maharashtra'

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut accused BJP of horse-trading as the saffron party made a last-minute decision to field a third candidate for Rajya Sabha elections from Maharashtra.

Raut also said that rather than resorting to dedicated leaders and workers, the BJP has reposed to faith in turncoats.

The comment from Raut came in reference to Pankaja Munde, Prakash Javadekar, and Vinod Tawde not making the cut. 

"It seems that they want to do horse-trading in the state. In reality, they don't have enough votes. If they had votes, they would have made Sambhaji Chhatrapati a candidate. Earlier, BJP tried to put him up as a candidate for the 6th seat. Then, he was left in the lurch. Now, they have given the candidature to a milk and sugar baron. But that is their prerogative," said Sanjay Raut.

The Shiv Sena spokesman further added, "But I am surprised that both Rajya Sabha candidates are from outside the BJP. Those loyal workers who are associated with RSS and have been working for the party for a long time were ignored. Those who have come from other parties and only attack Shiv Sena and MVA have been made candidates. That's why there is a lot of rift in their party."