Raut, Pawar Slam Gorhe Over Her ‘Mercedes for Posts’ Accusation Against Uddhav
Political tensions rise in Maharashtra after Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe’s allegations at a literary meet, drawing sharp reactions from rival factions.
Mumbai: Maharashtra politics continued to simmer on Monday over the allegations of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe with Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut calling her shameless and unworthy of respect. NCP founder Sharad Pawar too slammed Gorhe saying there was a need for her to make the statement at the literary meet.
Labelling Gorhe’s statement as perverse, Raut said, “Neelam Gorhe is a woman who is shameless, corrupt and unworthy of respect. She came into the party at the whim of some people but left dirt while leaving. Even Balasaheb Thackeray had asked us, which woman did you bring to the party?”
Speaking at the 98th All India Marathi Literary Festival held in New Delhi, Gorhe stoked a controversy by claiming that positions within Shiv Sena (UBT) were secured through monetary means, including the gifting of Mercedes cars.
Raut accused Gorhe, who is the deputy chairperson of the Maharashtra Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council), asking for bribes to allow members raise issues in the house. “I have all the details on how much she charges to make a calling attention in the house. How much money does she take for raising a question?”
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar backed Raut calling Gorhe’s statement as nonsense. “There was no need for her to say unnecessary things and create a controversy at the literacy meet. Everyone knows how Gorhe, who changed four parties in a short period of time, got four terms (as an MLC),” he said.
Shinde Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat termed Raut’s criticism of Gorhe as an insult to women. “He (Raut) should have been ashamed of using such language towards women,” he said.
Speaking at the literary event, Gorhe had said, “It is a fact that if you give two Mercedes cars in Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, you get a post.” She added that its chief Uddhav Thackeray was reluctant to meet party leaders and would not treat functionaries well. Gorhe had joined the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena in July 2023 after the party split in June 2022.
