India, July 11 -- Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Friday launched a scathing attack on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, alleging that Shinde is so desperate to become Chief Minister that he offered to merge his faction of the Shiv Sena with the BJP during a recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.

Addressing reporters, Raut claimed that Shinde told Shah he was unable to function effectively because of constant interference by current CM Devendra Fadnavis, and that the BJP leader was initiating inquiries against Shiv Sena MLAs. "Shinde reportedly told Shah that efforts to unite Marathi voices-like the recent joint rally by Uddhav and Raj Thackeray-were harming his party, and that he could stop this if ...