Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is offering 150 million rupees in advance to buy Members of Parliament in Maharashtra. He made the claim amid renewed speculation of a split within the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction. Raut also alleged that BJP is luring MPs with private jet offers.

In a post on social media platform X, Raut described the alleged payments as tragic and disgraceful. He asserted that the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction remains united and capable of handling the situation. He dismissed speculation that rebel MPs could form a separate group, saying they lack sufficient numbers. In an interview with NDTV, Raut said Thackeray has worked hard for every MP and that BJP’s attempts to lure them with money will fail.

Raut further claimed that two of their MPs were to be flown from Nanded airport on a chartered plane. He mocked the rebels, saying they once could not afford rickshaw rides but now travel by private jets thanks to the Thackeray name.