India, Aug. 17 -- Maharashtra forest minister and BJP MLA Ganesh Naik has said that Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde had won a "lottery", apparently referring to his appointment as chief minister in 2022.

"Eknath Shinde (current deputy CM) had won a lottery. Not everyone has to win the lottery, but Shinde won it. However, what matters is how a person achieves a position and retains it, and common people observe this," Naik said at a bhoomi pujan ceremony on Friday, according to PTI.

This is not the first time Naik has targeted Shinde. In July, Naik had alleged that outsiders were exploiting Navi Mumbai's resources, without naming Shinde, the guardian minister of Thane district.

According to PTI, Shiv Sena had hit back by accusing Naik of...