'Shinde wanted to join Congress': Sanjay Raut stirs row

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut stirred up a new controversy by claiming on Saturday that deputy CM Eknath Shinde earlier tried to join Congress, reports Priyanka Kakodkar. In response to a question on the issue, he said, "Of course he was going towards it. You can ask Congress functionary Prithviraj Chavan." He mentioned that Congress' Ahmed Patel was no longer alive to bear witness to their early morning meetings.

Shinde's party dismissed the claims. "The effect of the 'bhang' (intoxicant) that Raut consumed for Holi has still not dissipated. If they did not trust Shinde, then why was he made the urban development minister and put in charge of winning the election?" asked Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske.