Nilesh Rane hits back at Navnath Ban, tells him to mind his limits while speaking on Shinde

A dispute has flared up between Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and the BJP after the results of the Legislative Council elections from the graduates' and teachers' constituencies in the state. Elections were held for five Legislative Council seats. The Maha Vikas Aghadi won all three graduates' seats, while the ruling Mahayuti won both teachers' seats. With only two of the five seats, friction has now begun within the Mahayuti.

The BJP candidate lost on the Pune seat. BJP spokesperson Navnath Ban had alleged that Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena did not back the party and that this was why the BJP candidate lost. He alleged that the Shiv Sena's role upset the Mahayuti's arithmetic. Leaders of Shinde's Shiv Sena then turned aggressive and began to reply to Navnath Ban. Nilesh Rane has now joined the dispute.

Nilesh Rane is a Shiv Sena MLA from Eknath Shinde's party. In a social media post, he targeted Navnath Ban. Rane wrote, "Navnath Ban, mind your limits while speaking on Shinde saheb. How much you are worth and how much you talk." It remains to be seen whether Navnath Ban replies to Rane after this remark.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has advised Shiv Sena leaders and office-bearers not to widen the differences that have arisen in the Mahayuti after the Legislative Council results. Shinde said the Mahayuti should introspect on the results as an alliance and that the mistakes that were made should not be repeated. He also said care should be taken that no rift develops in the alliance and that opponents do not benefit from the internal disputes.

According to information, detailed reports on the mistakes and shortcomings that occurred while working as the Mahayuti have been sought from local office-bearers. These issues will be discussed in detail at a meeting of the Mahayuti coordination committee and senior leaders. For now, Shiv Sena spokespersons and office-bearers should not criticise allies before the media. At a meeting held on Thursday night, Eknath Shinde directed everyone to avoid differences and get back to work together.