Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday said that he doubts whether the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be able to last even two years till 2026.
He claimed that if the Modi government fails to complete its tenure, it will bring political change in Maharashtra and other states as well.
Speaking to reporters, Raut also dismissed speculations that some Shiv Sena leaders may leave the party following its poor performance in the November 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
He was replying to a question on the discussion that former Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajapur MLA Rajan Salvi may leave the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.
In last year’s Lok Sabha elections, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 293 seats, far more than the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member House, paving the way for Prime Minister Modi’s third consecutive term.
However, the BJP fell far short of a majority and is now dependent on allies after getting a comfortable majority on its own in the last two terms of the Modi government.
Raut claimed, “I doubt whether the government at the Center will last till 2026. Modi will not complete his term and when that happens, there will be changes not only in Maharashtra but also in other places (states).”
On speculations about Salvi leaving Shiv Sena, the Rajya Sabha member said he had spoken to the party leader, who expressed disappointment over some local issues.
Raut said Uddhav Thackeray is in touch with Salvi, who has been a multiple-time MLA but lost to Shiv Sena leader Kiran Samant from Rajapur in the 2024 state assembly elections.
Asked about talk of some Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders joining other parties, Raut said there was no unrest in his party.
He said, ‘This day too shall pass. All days are not the same.
