Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut took a swipe at Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday (February 8) after the killing of the former's party leader Abhishek Ghosalkar by Mauris Noronha during Facebook livestream. Raut said there is "gunda raj (reign of dacoits)" in Maharashtra under the Shinde-led government.

Taking to X on Thursday, Raut shared a picture of Mauris Noronha with Eknath Shinde, alleging the two met at 'Varsha' - the official residence of Maharashtra Chief Minister "four days ago".

"Gunda raj in Maharashtra. Mauris Noronha, who shot Abhishek Ghosalkar, was at Varsha bungalow four days ago. The Chief Minister met him. Mauris was invited to join the Shinde Sena," Sanjay Raut's tweet, roughly translated from Marathi, read.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also called for Maharashtra Deputy Minister, who also has the Home department, a "complete failure" and batted for his resignation.

In his tweet, Sanjay Raut tagged Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray along with Fadnavis.

Raut further claimed that the "gunda raj" and "mafia raj (reign of mafias)" in Maharashtra has the "blessings of the Shinde government".

"We will not keep quiet... Where is your ED, CBI now?" Sanjay Raut asked, and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are "responsible" for the "gunda raj" in Maharashtra.

Devendra Fadnavis, meanwhile, hit back at Sanjay Raut, saying that one should not "politicise" the incident as it is entirely very saddening. "The entire incident of (Shiv Sena) UBT leader Abhishek Ghosalkar being shot dead and (then) accused killing himself is serious and saddening...No one should politicise this incident. The investigation is underway," the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister told reporters on Friday (February 9).

Abhishek Ghosalkar was shot thrice during a Facebook livestream he was doing with Mauris Noronha on Thursday in Mumbai's Dahisar area. The victim, a former corporator, was the son of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vinod Ghosalkar. Mauris Noronha, known as 'Mauris Bhai' in Borivali region, fired at Abhishek Ghosalkar thrice at the latter's abdomen and shoulder, and then shot himself dead.

A video that has gone viral on social media showed Mauris Noronha firing the bullets.

Abhishek Ghosalkar was rushed to the hospital in serious condition, but later succumbed to his injuries.

Locals told India Today TV that there was a fight between Abhishek Ghosalkar and Mauris Noronha to dominate politics. Both apparently aspired to contest from Mumbai's Ward 1.

Earlier in the day, mortal remains of Abhishek Ghosalkar reached his residence in Mumbai's Borivali area.

Source: India Today