Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday lashed out at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for questioning Uddhav Thackeray’s absence from the recently concluded Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Speaking to reporters, Raut accused Shinde of political ineptitude, suggesting the BJP should coach him on framing questions. He argued that Shinde’s missteps are exposing the BJP more than they are hurting Thackeray.

The Maha Kumbh, held from January 13 to February 26 in Uttar Pradesh, became a flashpoint after Shinde, a key figure in the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, targeted the former CM. Raut hit back, asking why Shinde didn’t question RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s absence from the event. “If Bhagwat, a Hindu leader, didn’t take a dip, why single out Uddhav?” he quipped, adding that RSS founders and Hindutva icon V.D. Savarkar never attended either.

Raut also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who bathed at the Kumbh last month, calling it a “publicity stunt” and questioning his past participation before becoming PM. He challenged Shinde to ask how many of CM Devendra Fadnavis’ cabinet colleagues joined him at the event.

In his ‘Rokhthok’ column in Saamana, Raut claimed Shinde met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Pune on February 22 to vent about Fadnavis, alleging the Deputy CM feels sidelined in the new government. “Shinde stayed up till 4 a.m. to complain,” Raut said, hinting at a possible merger of Shinde’s faction with the BJP to reclaim the CM post.

Raut dared Shinde to deny the meeting, asserting even Fadnavas knows of the grievances aired. With the Maharashtra budget session starting Monday, he also announced Shiv Sena (UBT)’s bid for the Leader of Opposition post, signaling a fierce political showdown ahead.