Shirsat calls Raj, Uddhav 'Saheb', sparks speculation in political circles

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: State social justice minister and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar's district guardian minister Sanjay Shirsat triggered speculation on Saturday by adding the respectful suffix of ‘Saheb' while mentioning MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.

Shirsat has recently been in the news after facing a series of allegations related to the acquisition of immovable assets amounting to crores of rupees. There are reports that he was unhappy as no one from Mahayuti govt backed him.

Since parting ways with Uddhav Thackeray during the Shiv Sena rebellion, Shirsat remained one of his most vocal critics and often referred to Uddhav Thackeray without any respectful prefix or suffix.

Shirsat's later gesture occurred during a news conference he held on Saturday in the city and quickly drew attention within political circles, especially given his past criticism of Uddhav Thackeray. The use of the honorific ‘Saheb'— commonly reserved for senior politicians or those held in high regard — while mildly criticising him for making political speeches raised eyebrows amid recent political realignments in the state.

Prakash Mahajan, a senior office-bearer of MNS, said, "Change in Shirsat's tone is the result of the Thackeray cousins coming together. All I can say is this is just the beginning." Shirsat was among the first rebel Shiv Sena MLAs who, after siding with Eknath Shinde, released a video against Uddhav Thackeray and voiced dissent during the 2022 political rebellion in Guwahati. He openly criticised Uddhav's leadership and working style by releasing both a letter and a video.

Shirsat's recent display of respect towards both the Thackerays was seen as a possible softening of his stance or a strategic shift amid changing political equations. Although Shirsat did not elaborate on his remarks, insiders suggested the move could indicate attempts at rapprochement or political pragmatism ahead of upcoming civic polls. Political observers watched closely to determine whether this rhetoric signalled a broader trend of thawing relations between factions or merely an isolated gesture.