Sanjay Raut claimed that Eknath Shinde has promised his supporters Rs 50 crore each to secure victory in the election.

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 22: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday accused Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of promising Rs 50 crore to each MLA to help them win elections.

During a press conference in Mumbai, Raut said, "Yesterday, two vehicles were found carrying almost Rs 15 crores. As I mentioned earlier, Eknath Shinde has promised Rs 50 crore each to his supporters to secure election victories. The Rs 15 crore was just the first instalment."

He further alleged, "There were two vehicles, but one was let go after receiving a call, as the inspector on duty had previously worked for the MLA. By now, nearly 150 MLAs in the state have received Rs 15 crore each."

Raut's statement follows the seizure of Rs 5 crore in cash by Pune Rural Police at the Khed Shivapur toll booth during a Nakabandi on the evening of October 21.

"A total of Rs 5 crore was discovered in the vehicle during the Nakabandi by Pune Rural Police at Khed Shivapur toll Naka. Four individuals, including the driver, were questioned," said Pune Rural SP Pankaj Deshmukh.

The cash has been handed over to the Income Tax Department for further investigation, according to SP Deshmukh.

This development comes as Maharashtra gears up for its single-phase election on November 20, with the counting scheduled for November 23.

Both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) — comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress — have ramped up their preparations for the upcoming elections to the 288 Assembly seats in the state. The BJP is part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance alongside Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and Congress won 44. In the 2014 elections, the BJP won 122 seats, Shiv Sena secured 63, and Congress won 42.