Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut launched a sharp critique of former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Sunday, accusing him of enabling defections by not ruling on disqualification petitions. His comments came a day after the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance suffered a significant defeat in the Maharashtra assembly elections.
Raut alleged that Justice Chandrachud’s inaction removed the deterrent effect of the law on defectors. “By not deciding on the disqualification petitions, he kept doors and windows open for defections. His name will be written in black letters in history,” Raut said, as quoted by PTI.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) managed to win only 20 of the 95 seats it contested, while alliance partners Congress and NCP (SP) secured 16 and 10 seats, respectively. In contrast, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance achieved a sweeping victory, winning over 230 of the 288 seats, with the BJP emerging as the single largest party.
The criticism comes amid lingering discontent over events in 2022, when Uddhav Thackeray was ousted from power after Eknath Shinde led a rebellion within Shiv Sena and subsequently joined forces with the BJP, becoming Maharashtra’s Chief Minister. The Supreme Court, under then-CJI Chandrachud, left the decision on disqualification petitions to Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, who later declared the Shinde-led faction as the legitimate Shiv Sena.
Commenting on the election results, Raut expressed regret but vowed to continue the fight. He also accused the RSS of influencing the election and criticized the BJP, sarcastically suggesting the swearing-in ceremony be held in Gujarat.
Justice Chandrachud retired on November 10, days before Raut’s controversial remarks.