'Rs 2000 crores paid to purchase Shiv Sena party name, symbol': Sanjay Raut

In his tweet, Raut claimed that the Rs 2,000 crore was a preliminary figure and this was 100 per cent true.

He also warned that a "number of things will be uncovered very soon, things that have never happened in the history of the country."

However, the Shinde faction dismissed the claim made by Raut.

In a major setback to Uddhav Thackeray, the Election Commission of India Friday recognised Shinde's faction as the real Shiv Sena and allowed them to use the traditional party symbol of bow and arrow.

The EC allowed the faction led by Uddhav Thackeray, whose father Bal Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena in 1966, to keep the 'flaming torch' poll symbol allotted last year.

Reacting to the decision, Uddhav Thackeray had said: "This order is a murder of democracy."

"They have stolen the Shiv Sena symbol. We will keep fighting and won't lose hope. For now, let Shinde be happy with his theft. Once a traitor, always a traitor," Thackeray had said.

Maharashtra will see Assembly polls just a few months after Lok Sabha elections in 2024.