Sanjay Raut

Amid rumours that he is cosying up with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Ajit Pawar on Friday said he would "100 percent like to be the chief minister" of Maharashtra and that the NCP can stake a claim to the CM's post now also instead of waiting for 2024, when the Assembly polls are due in the state.

"Eknath Shinde cried after coming to Matoshree and said - If he does not go with BJP, he will be put in jail," Thackeray had claimed on April 11. Raut also claimed that fear of Eknath Shinde being jailed was "clearly visible" in his "mind and heart".

Earlier in the day, Pawar had said he favoured a Supreme Court committee to probe allegations against the Adani group, since the ruling party would have a majority in the JPC based on numerical strength in Parliament and this would lead to doubts on such a probe.

In May last year, Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala was shot dead in Punjab's Mansa district after his security was downgraded. Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched an attack on Rahul Gandhi stating that he was disqualified as MP from Lok Sabha because of his "arrogance" and also alleged that the Congress leader considers it his "birthright" to rule the country since he is born in a certain family.

On Tuesday, Sanjay Raut wrote three separate letters to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the state home portfolio, the Mumbai police commissioner, and the Thane police commissioner.

In his letter, Raut claimed that his security was withdrawn after the change of government in the state. Stating that he had no complaint about such a political decision, Raut said he expected the government to take responsibility for the worsening law and order situation in Maharashtra.

'I have reliable information that there has been a deal of Rs 2000 crore to get the Shiv Sena name and its symbol. This is a preliminary figure and is 100 per cent true. Many things will be revealed shortly. Never before has this happened in the country's history,' Raut tweeted.

Recently, the Animal Welfare Board issued a notice encouraging people to celebrate 'Cow Hug Day' on February 14. In response, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said, 'For BJP, Adani is a holy cow. Therefore, they hugged their holy cow.'

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and other Thackeray family members, including Maharashtra Navanirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and nephew Nihar Thackeray, have been invited to the programme. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis will unveil the portrait.