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Tag: Shiv Sena

Uddhav warns of payback for those targeting his party; Shinde accuses him of betraying Hindutva

By Agencies

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said those harassing his party will face consequences when it returns to power, while Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde who heads a rival faction accused him of “burying” the Hindutva ideology.

The two Shiv Senas held their separate Dussehra rallies in the city on Tuesday evening.

Speaking at Shivaji Park, the traditional venue of the party’s Dussehra rally, Thackeray also batted for coalition governments. Attempts were being made to “steal” the Shiv Sena, he said.

“After we come to power, we will hang upside down those who are harassing us,” Uddhav said.

Targeting the BJP, his friend-turned-foe, Thackeray said there should be a strong government, but not of “any one party with a brute majority.”

Uddhav said the parties who used to target the BJP by questioning the timeline for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya are feeling embarrassed now. “They have lost their face. How will they go to Ayodhya now?” he asked.

Speaking at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, Shinde slammed Thackeray for forming an alliance with Congress and the Samajwadi Party while “burying Hindutva thoughts” of late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

“At one time Uddhav’s father Bal Thackeray gave the slogan ‘Garvase kaho hum Hindu hai’ (say with pride we are Hindu), but now the new slogans being shouted at Shivaji Park are ‘Garvase kaho hum Congressi hai, Garvase kaho hum Samajwadi hai’,” Shinde claimed.

Shinde said he won’t be surprised if they (Shiv Sena-UBT) ally with Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM and even “hug terrorist organisations such as Hamas, Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba for their selfish motives and chair (power)”.

The Shinde faction had applied for permission for a Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park this year, but later withdrew the application. Shinde later announced that the annual Dussehra rally will be organised at Azad Maidan instead of Shivaji Park.

This cleared the path for the Uddhav-led Shiv Sena to hold the annual rally at Shivaji Park.

Shiv Sena (Shinde group) and Shiv Sena (UBT), last year, locked horns over organising the annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park, where the party has been holding the rally since 1966, indicating the significance of this venue for both of them.

However, the Bombay High Court had ruled in favour of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and allowed the Uddhav Thackeray faction to hold the Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park.

This came after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) refused to give permission to the two factions to hold the rally, based on the local police report, which said that the event may cause law and order issues in the area.

The event is significant as Sena is now divided into two factions and the rally was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said those harassing his party will face consequences when it returns to power, while Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde who heads a rival faction accused him of “burying” the Hindutva ideology.

The two Shiv Senas held their separate Dussehra rallies in the city on Tuesday evening.

Speaking at Shivaji Park, the traditional venue of the party’s Dussehra rally, Thackeray also batted for coalition governments. Attempts were being made to “steal” the Shiv Sena, he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

“After we come to power, we will hang upside down those who are harassing us,” Uddhav said.

Targeting the BJP, his friend-turned-foe, Thackeray said there should be a strong government, but not of “any one party with a brute majority.”

Uddhav said the parties who used to target the BJP by questioning the timeline for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya are feeling embarrassed now. “They have lost their face. How will they go to Ayodhya now?” he asked.

Speaking at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, Shinde slammed Thackeray for forming an alliance with Congress and the Samajwadi Party while “burying Hindutva thoughts” of late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

“At one time Uddhav’s father Bal Thackeray gave the slogan ‘Garvase kaho hum Hindu hai’ (say with pride we are Hindu), but now the new slogans being shouted at Shivaji Park are ‘Garvase kaho hum Congressi hai, Garvase kaho hum Samajwadi hai’,” Shinde claimed.

Shinde said he won’t be surprised if they (Shiv Sena-UBT) ally with Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM and even “hug terrorist organisations such as Hamas, Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba for their selfish motives and chair (power)”.

The Shinde faction had applied for permission for a Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park this year, but later withdrew the application. Shinde later announced that the annual Dussehra rally will be organised at Azad Maidan instead of Shivaji Park.

This cleared the path for the Uddhav-led Shiv Sena to hold the annual rally at Shivaji Park.

Shiv Sena (Shinde group) and Shiv Sena (UBT), last year, locked horns over organising the annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park, where the party has been holding the rally since 1966, indicating the significance of this venue for both of them.

However, the Bombay High Court had ruled in favour of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and allowed the Uddhav Thackeray faction to hold the Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park.

This came after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) refused to give permission to the two factions to hold the rally, based on the local police report, which said that the event may cause law and order issues in the area.

The event is significant as Sena is now divided into two factions and the rally was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

October 24, 2023
Ahead of polls, Aditya Thackeray joins Kamal Nath and son in unveiling Shivaji statue in MP

By Express News Service

BHOPAL: With just two months left for assembly polls in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray’s family has entered the poll-bound state in support of once its biggest foe, but now it’s Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partner Congress.

The Thackeray family’s third generation, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray’s ex-minister son Aditya Thackeray addressed a mega rally in Pandhurna assembly segment of poll-bound MP’s largest district Chhindwara on Friday.

Chhindwara, importantly has been state Congress chief and former CM Kamal Nath’s bastion since 1980. While his son Nakul Nath is currently the Chhindwara MP, all eight assembly segments are represented by the Congress, including the Chhindwara assembly segment having Kamal Nath as its MLA.

The young Shiv Sena (Uddhav) faction leader joined Kamal Nath and Nath’s first-time MP son Nakul Nath in unveiling the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Chhindwara’s Pandhurna area, which neighbours Maharashtra’s Nagpur district.

Addressing the gathering replete with saffron flags, Aditya Thackeray raised the issues of inflation and farmers to plight due to deficient and excessive rainfall which is troubling farmers of both the neighbouring states, ruled by BJP and allies. While terming Maharashtra CM and his old party colleague Eknath Shinde as “illegal CM,” the Thackeray Jr drew parallels between how the Congress and MVA governments in MP and Maharashtra respectively were pulled down by the BJP. “Real Shivshahi will be ushered in MP only, after the unjust rule of BJP is ended in the state. We’re eagerly awaiting Kamal Nath Saheb to return as MP CM. Please tell me the date when you (Nath) will take oath as CM again.”

Recounting the endeared bond between his party and Nath, Thackeray said, “be it during the MVA regime, when I was a minister in Maharashtra or now, Kamal Nath Saheb has always stood connected with us, enquiring whether everything is going smoothly with the Congress or not.”

Recounting his meeting with the Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray during the days of Emergency, Nath said, “Aditya wasn’t even born at that time. I still remember Sanjay Gandhi sending me to Balasaheb to convince him to support the imposition of emergency for the nation’s good. My meeting with Balasaheb continued for around two and half hours and in between that meeting, Balasaheb assured me that Shiv Sena firmly supported the Emergency.”

Importantly, the Pandhurna-ST assembly constituency of Chhindwara district has maximum Marathi-speaking voters and lies next to the Nagpur district of Maharashtra. The Congress won the seat in 2013 and 2018, but the BJP is trying its best to wrest the seat it won in 2003 and 2008.

The chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had last month initiated the process of fulfilling the long pending demand of making Pandhurna a separate district. Aiming to counter the BJP’s poll strategy of benefitting by creating a separate Pandhurna district, Kamal Nath got the long-awaited statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji unveiled in Pandhurna on Friday. Roping in Aditya Thackeray for the event was aimed at ensuring that the Marathi-speaking voters stay behind the Congress only.

As per sources within the MP Congress, Friday’s Pandhurna event could just be the start of many such rallies which will be addressed by Aditya Thackeray in other districts of MP, which house Marathi speaking population, including Khargone, Barwani, Betul, Khandwa, Burhanpur, Chhindwara, Balaghat and Seoni.

Making light of the event in Pandhurna, MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that during his 15-month stint in power, Kamal Nath had stopped the installation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue in Sausar area of the same Chhindwara district. “I had at that time come to Chhindwara and protested with commoners over the issue. The same fake and seasonal Hindus, who had then insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji are now installing Shivaji Maharaj’s statue.”

BHOPAL: With just two months left for assembly polls in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray’s family has entered the poll-bound state in support of once its biggest foe, but now it’s Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partner Congress.

The Thackeray family’s third generation, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray’s ex-minister son Aditya Thackeray addressed a mega rally in Pandhurna assembly segment of poll-bound MP’s largest district Chhindwara on Friday.

Chhindwara, importantly has been state Congress chief and former CM Kamal Nath’s bastion since 1980. While his son Nakul Nath is currently the Chhindwara MP, all eight assembly segments are represented by the Congress, including the Chhindwara assembly segment having Kamal Nath as its MLA.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

The young Shiv Sena (Uddhav) faction leader joined Kamal Nath and Nath’s first-time MP son Nakul Nath in unveiling the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Chhindwara’s Pandhurna area, which neighbours Maharashtra’s Nagpur district.

Addressing the gathering replete with saffron flags, Aditya Thackeray raised the issues of inflation and farmers to plight due to deficient and excessive rainfall which is troubling farmers of both the neighbouring states, ruled by BJP and allies. While terming Maharashtra CM and his old party colleague Eknath Shinde as “illegal CM,” the Thackeray Jr drew parallels between how the Congress and MVA governments in MP and Maharashtra respectively were pulled down by the BJP. “Real Shivshahi will be ushered in MP only, after the unjust rule of BJP is ended in the state. We’re eagerly awaiting Kamal Nath Saheb to return as MP CM. Please tell me the date when you (Nath) will take oath as CM again.”

Recounting the endeared bond between his party and Nath, Thackeray said, “be it during the MVA regime, when I was a minister in Maharashtra or now, Kamal Nath Saheb has always stood connected with us, enquiring whether everything is going smoothly with the Congress or not.”

Recounting his meeting with the Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray during the days of Emergency, Nath said, “Aditya wasn’t even born at that time. I still remember Sanjay Gandhi sending me to Balasaheb to convince him to support the imposition of emergency for the nation’s good. My meeting with Balasaheb continued for around two and half hours and in between that meeting, Balasaheb assured me that Shiv Sena firmly supported the Emergency.”

Importantly, the Pandhurna-ST assembly constituency of Chhindwara district has maximum Marathi-speaking voters and lies next to the Nagpur district of Maharashtra. The Congress won the seat in 2013 and 2018, but the BJP is trying its best to wrest the seat it won in 2003 and 2008.

The chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had last month initiated the process of fulfilling the long pending demand of making Pandhurna a separate district. Aiming to counter the BJP’s poll strategy of benefitting by creating a separate Pandhurna district, Kamal Nath got the long-awaited statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji unveiled in Pandhurna on Friday. Roping in Aditya Thackeray for the event was aimed at ensuring that the Marathi-speaking voters stay behind the Congress only.

As per sources within the MP Congress, Friday’s Pandhurna event could just be the start of many such rallies which will be addressed by Aditya Thackeray in other districts of MP, which house Marathi speaking population, including Khargone, Barwani, Betul, Khandwa, Burhanpur, Chhindwara, Balaghat and Seoni.

Making light of the event in Pandhurna, MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that during his 15-month stint in power, Kamal Nath had stopped the installation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue in Sausar area of the same Chhindwara district. “I had at that time come to Chhindwara and protested with commoners over the issue. The same fake and seasonal Hindus, who had then insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji are now installing Shivaji Maharaj’s statue.”

September 22, 2023
Shinde will be replaced, Ajit Pawar could become CM: Raut after portfolio allocation

By PTI

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday claimed Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will be replaced and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar could helm the government in future.

“Ajit Pawar could become the CM in future. It is certain that the CM (Eknath Shinde) will be replaced,” Raut claimed after Pawar was given the finance and planning ministries.

Ambadas Danve, Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, said time is exacting revenge on the Shiv Sena 40 MLAs who rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray.

Danve said the Shiv Sena MLAs had accused Ajit Pawar of depriving them of funds when they were part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and left the party and today the same person has become the state’s finance minister.

Shinde’s rebellion last year split the original Shiv Sena and caused the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government, comprising Sena, Congress and NCP.

Shinde then joined hands with the BJP to become the CM in June 2022. Ajit Pawar and his supporters became a part of the ruling coalition this month after breaking away from the Sharad Pawar-founded NCP.

Apart from Ajit Pawar, eight other NCP ministers were also given portfolios, said a statement by CM Shinde’s office.

It said Dhananjay Munde has been given Agriculture, while Dilip Walse-Patil will be the new Cooperation minister. The other NCP leaders with newly allocated ministries are Hasan Mushrif (Medical Education), Chhagan Bhujbal (Food and Civil Supplies), Dharmrao Atram (Food and Drugs Administration), Sanjay Bansode (Sports), Aditi Tatkare (Woman and Child Development) and Anil Patil (Relief, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management), it said.

READ MORE: Shinde going, going… Ajit Pawar readies to be Maha successor

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday claimed Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will be replaced and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar could helm the government in future.

“Ajit Pawar could become the CM in future. It is certain that the CM (Eknath Shinde) will be replaced,” Raut claimed after Pawar was given the finance and planning ministries.

Ambadas Danve, Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, said time is exacting revenge on the Shiv Sena 40 MLAs who rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

Danve said the Shiv Sena MLAs had accused Ajit Pawar of depriving them of funds when they were part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and left the party and today the same person has become the state’s finance minister.

Shinde’s rebellion last year split the original Shiv Sena and caused the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government, comprising Sena, Congress and NCP.

Shinde then joined hands with the BJP to become the CM in June 2022. Ajit Pawar and his supporters became a part of the ruling coalition this month after breaking away from the Sharad Pawar-founded NCP.

Apart from Ajit Pawar, eight other NCP ministers were also given portfolios, said a statement by CM Shinde’s office.

It said Dhananjay Munde has been given Agriculture, while Dilip Walse-Patil will be the new Cooperation minister. The other NCP leaders with newly allocated ministries are Hasan Mushrif (Medical Education), Chhagan Bhujbal (Food and Civil Supplies), Dharmrao Atram (Food and Drugs Administration), Sanjay Bansode (Sports), Aditi Tatkare (Woman and Child Development) and Anil Patil (Relief, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management), it said.

READ MORE: Shinde going, going… Ajit Pawar readies to be Maha successor

July 14, 2023
Shinde, Ajit men to meet Amit Shah as Maharashtra Cabinet’s rift over key portfolios deepens

Express News Service

MUMBAI: A tug-of-war continues between Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar-led NCP over allocations of key portfolios such as finance, urban development department, cooperation, irrigation and agriculture. Both sides have decided to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to resolve the issue.

Sources said Shinde has refused to concede the key portfolios to NCP ministers, including Ajit Pawar, arguing that it will reduce his importance in the government.

“Shinde has conveyed to the BJP leadership that unless Shiv Sena MLAs are sworn in, he will not allocate the portfolios to the NCP ministers. Shinde fears that after the allocation of portfolios to the NCP ministers, the BJP may not allow him further cabinet expansion. Shinde plans to meet top BJP leaders in Delhi,” said a source.

Another senior minister said the BJP has conveyed it will be reluctant to induct Shiv Sena MLA Bharat Gogawale and Sanjay Shirsat into the cabinet.

“Shinde told the BJP leadership that if these two faces — Gogawale and Shirsat - are not inducted, then he will have a tough time keeping the flock together. Most of the Shiv Sena MLAs of Shinde factions already started extending olive branches to Uddhav Thackeray and opening the communications line. If a significant number of Shiv Sena MLAs join Uddhav Thackeray, then Shinde’s CM chair will be in trouble and his party will also face another split. This can damage the BJP. Therefore BJP needs to stand by him,” said a Shiv Sena minister.

Meanwhile, Sunil Tatkare, the state NCP chief (Ajit Pawar faction) said that there is no dispute over allocations of ministries.

MUMBAI: A tug-of-war continues between Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar-led NCP over allocations of key portfolios such as finance, urban development department, cooperation, irrigation and agriculture. Both sides have decided to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to resolve the issue.

Sources said Shinde has refused to concede the key portfolios to NCP ministers, including Ajit Pawar, arguing that it will reduce his importance in the government.

“Shinde has conveyed to the BJP leadership that unless Shiv Sena MLAs are sworn in, he will not allocate the portfolios to the NCP ministers. Shinde fears that after the allocation of portfolios to the NCP ministers, the BJP may not allow him further cabinet expansion. Shinde plans to meet top BJP leaders in Delhi,” said a source.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

Another senior minister said the BJP has conveyed it will be reluctant to induct Shiv Sena MLA Bharat Gogawale and Sanjay Shirsat into the cabinet.

“Shinde told the BJP leadership that if these two faces — Gogawale and Shirsat - are not inducted, then he will have a tough time keeping the flock together. Most of the Shiv Sena MLAs of Shinde factions already started extending olive branches to Uddhav Thackeray and opening the communications line. If a significant number of Shiv Sena MLAs join Uddhav Thackeray, then Shinde’s CM chair will be in trouble and his party will also face another split. This can damage the BJP. Therefore BJP needs to stand by him,” said a Shiv Sena minister.

Meanwhile, Sunil Tatkare, the state NCP chief (Ajit Pawar faction) said that there is no dispute over allocations of ministries.

July 13, 2023
Ajit Pawar blames uncle for insulting him, denying Maharashtra top post

Express News Service

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra NCP coup is complete and comprehensive. Sworn in Deputy Chief Minister just the other day, Ajit Pawar on Wednesday hit out at Sharad Pawar, saying his uncle wants to remain the party chief because he wants his daughter Supriya Sule to be the CM. He also said he was “insulted” several times in the past on the question of siding with either Shiv Sena or BJP. The new entrant to the Shinde-Fadnavis team opened up at the Bhujbal Knowledge City at Bandra West on Wednesday.

“I have been deputy CM. We could have got the chief minister’s post, but my uncle refused it,” he said.“I am fed up with the DCM post. My son asks: ‘Papa how many times will you will be DCM?’” said Ajit.He said Sharad Pawar, 83, should gracefully retire from active politics and hand over the command to his nephew. Out of 53 NCP MLAs, 31 MLAs attended the meeting called by Ajit Pawar at Bandra.

On the other hand, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said since the day he attended the Opposition meeting in Patna, he suspected that the BJP would split his family and the party. “I will again go to the people,” he said.

The Sr Pawar’s speech was a veritable counter to Ajit Pawar’s allegations. On why he did not tie up with BJP and formed the government with Shiv Sena, Pawar said Shiv Sena’s Hindutva “is inclusive and takes all castes and communities together. “It is not like BJP’s ‘myopic Hindutva’ dividing the people on the lines of caste and religion,” he said.

But Ajit Pawar was unrelenting. “We were in talks with the BJP in 2014, 2016 and 2019. I was sent to talk with BJP; we finalized the distributions of cabinet portfolios. But his uncle changed his mind at the last moment. Due to this, I was humiliated and seen as a villain,” said Ajit.

“If we can share power with Shiv Sena, then why not with the BJP?” asked Ajit. On his part, Sharad Pawar said the Ajit faction has criticized him but has retained Sr Pawar’s posters and banners.“They know they have no worth in the political market and will not fetch the votes. Therefore, they want to use my photograph. But people are shrewd enough to understand these things,” said senior Pawar.

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra NCP coup is complete and comprehensive. Sworn in Deputy Chief Minister just the other day, Ajit Pawar on Wednesday hit out at Sharad Pawar, saying his uncle wants to remain the party chief because he wants his daughter Supriya Sule to be the CM. He also said he was “insulted” several times in the past on the question of siding with either Shiv Sena or BJP. The new entrant to the Shinde-Fadnavis team opened up at the Bhujbal Knowledge City at Bandra West on Wednesday.

“I have been deputy CM. We could have got the chief minister’s post, but my uncle refused it,” he said.
“I am fed up with the DCM post. My son asks: ‘Papa how many times will you will be DCM?’” said Ajit.
He said Sharad Pawar, 83, should gracefully retire from active politics and hand over the command to his nephew. Out of 53 NCP MLAs, 31 MLAs attended the meeting called by Ajit Pawar at Bandra.

On the other hand, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said since the day he attended the Opposition meeting in Patna, he suspected that the BJP would split his family and the party. “I will again go to the people,” he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

The Sr Pawar’s speech was a veritable counter to Ajit Pawar’s allegations. On why he did not tie up with BJP and formed the government with Shiv Sena, Pawar said Shiv Sena’s Hindutva “is inclusive and takes all castes and communities together. “It is not like BJP’s ‘myopic Hindutva’ dividing the people on the lines of caste and religion,” he said.

But Ajit Pawar was unrelenting. “We were in talks with the BJP in 2014, 2016 and 2019. I was sent to talk with BJP; we finalized the distributions of cabinet portfolios. But his uncle changed his mind at the last moment. Due to this, I was humiliated and seen as a villain,” said Ajit.

“If we can share power with Shiv Sena, then why not with the BJP?” asked Ajit. On his part, Sharad Pawar said the Ajit faction has criticized him but has retained Sr Pawar’s posters and banners.“They know they have no worth in the political market and will not fetch the votes. Therefore, they want to use my photograph. But people are shrewd enough to understand these things,” said senior Pawar.

July 6, 2023
Shiv Sena (UBT) accuses BJP of trying to set up ‘laboratory of riots’ in Maharashtra

By PTI

MUMBAI: The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to set up a “laboratory of riots” in Maharashtra to disturb social peace and polarise voters.

Maybe they want to fight elections by dividing the society, just like they “broke the Shiv Sena” to form government in Maharashtra, an editorial in the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ said referring to the split in the Sena last year following which Eknath Shinde became the CM with the BJP’s support.

The people of the state need to be alert as they are surrounded by those who crave for power by side-stepping the Constitution, national unity and religious coexistence, the Marathi publication claimed.

Maharashtra witnessed communal clashes on Saturday and Sunday in Akola city and Shevgaon village in Ahmednagar district, respectively, in which one person was killed and 13 others injured.

In another incident, members of a different religion allegedly tried to force their way into the famous Trimbakeshwar temple in Nashik district, prompting the state government to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a probe into it.

The editorial in Saamana claimed since the time Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis coalition has come to power, the state has been witnessing religious and social tensions.

“In Maharashtra, the BJP and its supporters are trying to disturb social peace, polarise voters by setting up a laboratory of riots,” it alleged.

“Some issues can be resolved through understanding, but it looks like they want to fight elections by dividing the society, just like the Shiv Sena was broken to form government,” the Marathi daily said. It said the recent incidents in Akola, Shevgaon and Nashik were a cause of concern.

Social tensions were deliberately being created with political motives and this was being done in a systematic and planned manner, the editorial claimed.

“Despite Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis saying he would expose the masterminds, nothing has happened,” it added.

MUMBAI: The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to set up a “laboratory of riots” in Maharashtra to disturb social peace and polarise voters.

Maybe they want to fight elections by dividing the society, just like they “broke the Shiv Sena” to form government in Maharashtra, an editorial in the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ said referring to the split in the Sena last year following which Eknath Shinde became the CM with the BJP’s support.

The people of the state need to be alert as they are surrounded by those who crave for power by side-stepping the Constitution, national unity and religious coexistence, the Marathi publication claimed.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

Maharashtra witnessed communal clashes on Saturday and Sunday in Akola city and Shevgaon village in Ahmednagar district, respectively, in which one person was killed and 13 others injured.

In another incident, members of a different religion allegedly tried to force their way into the famous Trimbakeshwar temple in Nashik district, prompting the state government to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a probe into it.

The editorial in Saamana claimed since the time Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis coalition has come to power, the state has been witnessing religious and social tensions.

“In Maharashtra, the BJP and its supporters are trying to disturb social peace, polarise voters by setting up a laboratory of riots,” it alleged.

“Some issues can be resolved through understanding, but it looks like they want to fight elections by dividing the society, just like the Shiv Sena was broken to form government,” the Marathi daily said. It said the recent incidents in Akola, Shevgaon and Nashik were a cause of concern.

Social tensions were deliberately being created with political motives and this was being done in a systematic and planned manner, the editorial claimed.

“Despite Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis saying he would expose the masterminds, nothing has happened,” it added.

May 17, 2023
MVA in shreds? Raut says many NCP MLAs in favour of joining BJP

Express News Service

MUMBAI: As a ‘blinding dust storm’ within the NCP takes time to settle, the revelations by Sharad Pawar in his biography ‘Lok Maja Sangati’ (On My Terms) have further soured his party’s relationship with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena.

That has impacted badly on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), an alliance of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP. Sharad Pawar, the MVA architect, has said in his biography that Uddhav failed to prevent the revolt within the party and save the three-party-led government as well.

In his response, Uddhav Thackeray said on Thursday that everyone has the right to write his own biography. “Whatever work I have done as chief minister is in the public domain. My work during the pandemic has been appreciated and people perceive me as their family member. I will not speak more about it,” Uddhav said.

In the book, Pawar says he used to comfortably speak with Balasaheb Thackeray but found it difficult while interacting with Uddhav after he became the CM. Then it was the turn of Sanjay Raut, the Sena (Uddhav) Rajya Sabha member. In his edit column in the party organ Saamana on Thursday, he said a section of the NCP is on the verge of joining the BJP. “Sharad does not want to see a split in his party, so he chose to quit as party chief. Another reason was that he wants to retain his secular image,” Raut wrote.

He said Sharad Pawar has taken the “right decision” by announcing his resignation as the party chief. “NCP state chief Jayant Patil spoke of feelings of common party workers — Pawar is NCP and vice versa. People vote for the NCP by looking at Sharad Pawar only.” Then came the truth as seen by him. “A section of the NCP is already on the threshold of joining the BJP. A political earthquake can take place in Maharashtra at any time,” Raut said.

MUMBAI: As a ‘blinding dust storm’ within the NCP takes time to settle, the revelations by Sharad Pawar in his biography ‘Lok Maja Sangati’ (On My Terms) have further soured his party’s relationship with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena.

That has impacted badly on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), an alliance of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP. Sharad Pawar, the MVA architect, has said in his biography that Uddhav failed to prevent the revolt within the party and save the three-party-led government as well.

In his response, Uddhav Thackeray said on Thursday that everyone has the right to write his own biography. “Whatever work I have done as chief minister is in the public domain. My work during the pandemic has been appreciated and people perceive me as their family member. I will not speak more about it,” Uddhav said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

In the book, Pawar says he used to comfortably speak with Balasaheb Thackeray but found it difficult while interacting with Uddhav after he became the CM. Then it was the turn of Sanjay Raut, the Sena (Uddhav) Rajya Sabha member. In his edit column in the party organ Saamana on Thursday, he said a section of the NCP is on the verge of joining the BJP. “Sharad does not want to see a split in his party, so he chose to quit as party chief. Another reason was that he wants to retain his secular image,” Raut wrote.

He said Sharad Pawar has taken the “right decision” by announcing his resignation as the party chief. “NCP state chief Jayant Patil spoke of feelings of common party workers — Pawar is NCP and vice versa. People vote for the NCP by looking at Sharad Pawar only.” Then came the truth as seen by him. “A section of the NCP is already on the threshold of joining the BJP. A political earthquake can take place in Maharashtra at any time,” Raut said.

May 5, 2023
Shiv Sena: SC rejects plea for transfer of party assets from Thackeray faction to Shinde group

By PTI

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea seeking a direction to the Maharashtra government that all party assets of the Shiv Sena being held by the Uddhav Thackeray faction be transferred to the group led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha questioned the locus of petitioner Ashish Giri, a lawyer, and dismissed his plea.

“Who are you? What is your locus,” the bench asked and then said, “Dismissed.

” Giri said a plea has been filed in the top court as it has heard various petitions relating to the feud between the Thackeray and the Shinde factions.

He had said the assets of the party should be transferred to the Shinde group.

“What kind of petition is this and who are you? Your request cannot be entertained,” the bench said.

The top court, on March 16, had reserved its verdict on a batch of cross-petitions of Uddhav Thackeray and CM Eknath Shinde factions pertaining to the Maharashtra political crisis.

The poll panel has granted the symbol, bow and arrow, to the Shinde faction and the issue is presently sub-judice.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea seeking a direction to the Maharashtra government that all party assets of the Shiv Sena being held by the Uddhav Thackeray faction be transferred to the group led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha questioned the locus of petitioner Ashish Giri, a lawyer, and dismissed his plea.

“Who are you? What is your locus,” the bench asked and then said, “Dismissed.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

” Giri said a plea has been filed in the top court as it has heard various petitions relating to the feud between the Thackeray and the Shinde factions.

He had said the assets of the party should be transferred to the Shinde group.

“What kind of petition is this and who are you? Your request cannot be entertained,” the bench said.

The top court, on March 16, had reserved its verdict on a batch of cross-petitions of Uddhav Thackeray and CM Eknath Shinde factions pertaining to the Maharashtra political crisis.

The poll panel has granted the symbol, bow and arrow, to the Shinde faction and the issue is presently sub-judice.

April 28, 2023
Ajit Pawar capable of becoming Maha CM, says Sanjay Raut

By PTI

JALGAON: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar was capable of becoming Maharashtra chief minister since he has vast administrative experience, the statement coming days after the two engaged in a verbal tussle.

Notably, amid speculation surrounding his next political move, Ajit Pawar on Friday said he would “100 per cent” like to become the chief minister. He had also said that NCP can stake a claim to the post of the chief minister “now also” instead of waiting for 2024.

Raut, a key aide of Uddhav Thackeray, also said some undeserving people had gone on to become CM of the state by engineering splits, an apparent reference to Eknath Shinde whose rebellion along with 40 MLAs in June last year brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

Raut also said there is no difference regarding the chief minister’s post in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which includes Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP, and Congress, and the alliance is united and strong. He asserted that the MVA will come back (to power) in 2024 and it “will look into it (the post of chief minister).”

“Who would not like to be chief minister? And Ajit Pawar is capable of becoming chief minister. He has been in politics for so many years now and has been a minister several times. He holds a record for having served as deputy CM the most number of times. Everyone thinks one should become CM,” Raut told reporters.

ALSO READ | Why 2024, NCP can stake claim to Maharashtra CM post now also: Ajit Pawar

On November 23, 2019, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar, were sworn in as chief minister and deputy CM, respectively, but the government fell without proving its majority on November 28. Ajit Pawar went back to the NCP and was made deputy CM in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by Uddhav Thackeray.

During an interview with a media house in Pune, Ajit Pawar on Friday responded to a query on his chief ministerial ambitions by saying “Yes, I would 100 per cent like to be (CM).”

Queried on this, Raut said, “He (Ajit Pawar) has not expressed this desire for the first time. So my best wishes to him.”

These statements come amid intense speculation about Ajit Pawar’s next political move, as the mercurial NCP leader cancelled some of his programmes recently, went incommunicado briefly and skipped the party’s one-day convention in Mumbai on Friday.

While there is a buzz about his growing proximity with the ruling BJP, Ajit Pawar has said he will be with the NCP till he is alive, and Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule also recently stated the former was not in touch with the saffron party.

ALSO READ | Sharad Pawar tightens his grip over NCP, tells Ajit not to break it

Sparks flew recently between Ajit Pawar and Raut after the latter’s weekly column in Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ dealt with a meeting between NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray.

Raut, in his column, claimed Sharad Pawar had told Thackeray that the NCP would never align with the BJP, though “if anyone takes a personal decision to leave, it is their individual issue.”

Hitting back, Ajit Pawar, on Tuesday, trained his guns on Raut and said some spokespersons of other parties were behaving like spokespersons of the NCP. The former deputy CM also said he would raise this issue whenever there is a meeting of the NCP.

Raut responded by saying he listens only to Sharad Pawar.

JALGAON: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar was capable of becoming Maharashtra chief minister since he has vast administrative experience, the statement coming days after the two engaged in a verbal tussle.

Notably, amid speculation surrounding his next political move, Ajit Pawar on Friday said he would “100 per cent” like to become the chief minister. He had also said that NCP can stake a claim to the post of the chief minister “now also” instead of waiting for 2024.

Raut, a key aide of Uddhav Thackeray, also said some undeserving people had gone on to become CM of the state by engineering splits, an apparent reference to Eknath Shinde whose rebellion along with 40 MLAs in June last year brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

Raut also said there is no difference regarding the chief minister’s post in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which includes Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP, and Congress, and the alliance is united and strong. He asserted that the MVA will come back (to power) in 2024 and it “will look into it (the post of chief minister).”

“Who would not like to be chief minister? And Ajit Pawar is capable of becoming chief minister. He has been in politics for so many years now and has been a minister several times. He holds a record for having served as deputy CM the most number of times. Everyone thinks one should become CM,” Raut told reporters.

ALSO READ | Why 2024, NCP can stake claim to Maharashtra CM post now also: Ajit Pawar

On November 23, 2019, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar, were sworn in as chief minister and deputy CM, respectively, but the government fell without proving its majority on November 28. Ajit Pawar went back to the NCP and was made deputy CM in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by Uddhav Thackeray.

During an interview with a media house in Pune, Ajit Pawar on Friday responded to a query on his chief ministerial ambitions by saying “Yes, I would 100 per cent like to be (CM).”

Queried on this, Raut said, “He (Ajit Pawar) has not expressed this desire for the first time. So my best wishes to him.”

These statements come amid intense speculation about Ajit Pawar’s next political move, as the mercurial NCP leader cancelled some of his programmes recently, went incommunicado briefly and skipped the party’s one-day convention in Mumbai on Friday.

While there is a buzz about his growing proximity with the ruling BJP, Ajit Pawar has said he will be with the NCP till he is alive, and Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule also recently stated the former was not in touch with the saffron party.

ALSO READ | Sharad Pawar tightens his grip over NCP, tells Ajit not to break it

Sparks flew recently between Ajit Pawar and Raut after the latter’s weekly column in Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ dealt with a meeting between NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray.

Raut, in his column, claimed Sharad Pawar had told Thackeray that the NCP would never align with the BJP, though “if anyone takes a personal decision to leave, it is their individual issue.”

Hitting back, Ajit Pawar, on Tuesday, trained his guns on Raut and said some spokespersons of other parties were behaving like spokespersons of the NCP. The former deputy CM also said he would raise this issue whenever there is a meeting of the NCP.

Raut responded by saying he listens only to Sharad Pawar.

April 22, 2023
Why 2024, NCP can stake claim to Maharashtra CM post now also: Ajit Pawar

By PTI

PUNE: Amid speculation over his next political move, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Friday said his outfit can stake a claim to the post of Maharashtra’s chief minister “now also” instead of waiting for 2024 when Assembly polls are due in the state.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly also told an interviewer that he will “100 per cent” like to be chief minister of Maharashtra.

In a free-wheeling interview to the Sakal Media Group at a programme called ‘Dilkhulas Dada’ in Pune, Pawar said he had heard that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, before his rebellion against the Shiv Sena leadership in June 2022, was unhappy and something was going in his mind.

Pawar revealed his colleague late R R Patil would have become Chief Minister in 2004 when the NCP had won more Assembly seats than its ally Congress, but a message came from Delhi that his party will get the deputy CM’s post.

Asked whether the NCP will stake a claim for the chief minister’s post next year when Assembly polls are due in Maharashtra, he remarked, “Why 2024, we are ready to stake a claim for the CM position now also.”

He, however, did not elaborate on the statement.

During the rapid fire round, the MLA from Baramati in Pune district, who has served as deputy CM multiple times, was asked by the interviewer whether he would like to become chief minister.

To this, Pawar promptly replied, “Yes, I would 100 per cent like to be (CM).”

ALSO READ | Sharad Pawar tightens his grip over NCP, tells Ajit not to break it

Asked why the NCP has an attraction for the deputy CM’s position as the party has got that post on multiple occasions in the last 20 years, the veteran politician said in 2004, the NCP and the Congress fought Assembly elections in an alliance and the former had won more seats.

“We got 71 seats, while the Congress won 69. Everyone, including the Congress, thought CM would be from the NCP. However, some decisions were taken at the highest level and a message came from Delhi that the NCP will get the deputy chief minister position and the CM post went to Congress,” he said.

Pawar said his colleague Patil was chosen as the Leader of the House (Assembly), and he would have become chief minister in 2004 if the top post was given to the NCP. In the subsequent Assembly polls, the Congress bagged more seats than the NCP and naturally kept the CM’s post with itself, he said.

Asked whether he liked working with Congress CM Prithviraj Chavan or Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, who occupied the top post from November 2019 to June 2022, Pawar said they worked with the latter “happily”, but working with the former was out of choice.

On Shinde’s revolt and subsequent split in the Shiv Sena, the former deputy CM said they used to hear that Shinde, then his Cabinet colleague in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, was unhappy and sensed something was going on in his mind.

“We had alerted Pawar Saheb (NCP president Sharad Pawar) and Thackeray was also apprised about it. The BJP had been trying to pull down the MVA government since the first day of its formation. The wife of a key politician confessed later that her husband used to go out in disguise, and later some ministers said Shinde and a particular leader used to meet,” Pawar said without taking any names.

ALSO READ | Won’t be in govt if Ajit Pawar joins BJP with NCP group: Shinde camp

He said during the MVA government, Thackeray had given full control of Thane district to Shinde, then a Cabinet minister, and some officials appointed by him had helped rebel Shiv Sena MLAs to sneak out of Mumbai and reach Surat on June 20.

Queried about him being soft on senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, Pawar said the two had political and ideological differences but weren’t enemies, and cited the example of Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray who attacked each other during rallies and speeches but were good friends.

Pawar went on add that a commonality between him and Fadnavis was that they were both born on July 22. Pawar was born in 1959 and Fadnavis in 1970.

Speaking about the rise of the BJP over the last few years, Pawar said it was all due to the charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who managed to lead the party to a majority in consecutive Lok Sabha polls in 2014 and 2019, a feat which even veterans like former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani could not manage.

“However, today when the question is asked who after Modi, then no name comes to the fore and we know going forward there will be coalition governments at the national level,” the NCP leader added.

On India surpassing China as the world’s most populous nation, Pawar said some stringent measures need to be taken to check its growth.

“A child is not a blessing of Allah or Parameshwar. It is the blessing of the husband and wife. This fact should be understood by all and superstitions on this issue must be removed,” Pawar said.

He said had the five-point programme of Sanjay Gandhi (to check population growth) been implemented properly, the problems associated with the rise in population would not have been faced by the country.

Pawar on Friday skipped a meeting of his party’s Mumbai unit, raising eyebrows in political circles as speculation about his next political move refuses to die down.

Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pawar played down the buzz saying he was unable to attend the NCP convention as he had to remain present for some other programmes happening at the same time.

He insisted nothing much should be read into this.

ALSO READ | Ajit Pawar gets signatures of 40 ready to bolt

PUNE: Amid speculation over his next political move, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Friday said his outfit can stake a claim to the post of Maharashtra’s chief minister “now also” instead of waiting for 2024 when Assembly polls are due in the state.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly also told an interviewer that he will “100 per cent” like to be chief minister of Maharashtra.

In a free-wheeling interview to the Sakal Media Group at a programme called ‘Dilkhulas Dada’ in Pune, Pawar said he had heard that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, before his rebellion against the Shiv Sena leadership in June 2022, was unhappy and something was going in his mind.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

Pawar revealed his colleague late R R Patil would have become Chief Minister in 2004 when the NCP had won more Assembly seats than its ally Congress, but a message came from Delhi that his party will get the deputy CM’s post.

Asked whether the NCP will stake a claim for the chief minister’s post next year when Assembly polls are due in Maharashtra, he remarked, “Why 2024, we are ready to stake a claim for the CM position now also.”

He, however, did not elaborate on the statement.

During the rapid fire round, the MLA from Baramati in Pune district, who has served as deputy CM multiple times, was asked by the interviewer whether he would like to become chief minister.

To this, Pawar promptly replied, “Yes, I would 100 per cent like to be (CM).”

ALSO READ | Sharad Pawar tightens his grip over NCP, tells Ajit not to break it

Asked why the NCP has an attraction for the deputy CM’s position as the party has got that post on multiple occasions in the last 20 years, the veteran politician said in 2004, the NCP and the Congress fought Assembly elections in an alliance and the former had won more seats.

“We got 71 seats, while the Congress won 69. Everyone, including the Congress, thought CM would be from the NCP. However, some decisions were taken at the highest level and a message came from Delhi that the NCP will get the deputy chief minister position and the CM post went to Congress,” he said.

Pawar said his colleague Patil was chosen as the Leader of the House (Assembly), and he would have become chief minister in 2004 if the top post was given to the NCP. In the subsequent Assembly polls, the Congress bagged more seats than the NCP and naturally kept the CM’s post with itself, he said.

Asked whether he liked working with Congress CM Prithviraj Chavan or Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, who occupied the top post from November 2019 to June 2022, Pawar said they worked with the latter “happily”, but working with the former was out of choice.

On Shinde’s revolt and subsequent split in the Shiv Sena, the former deputy CM said they used to hear that Shinde, then his Cabinet colleague in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, was unhappy and sensed something was going on in his mind.

“We had alerted Pawar Saheb (NCP president Sharad Pawar) and Thackeray was also apprised about it. The BJP had been trying to pull down the MVA government since the first day of its formation. The wife of a key politician confessed later that her husband used to go out in disguise, and later some ministers said Shinde and a particular leader used to meet,” Pawar said without taking any names.

ALSO READ | Won’t be in govt if Ajit Pawar joins BJP with NCP group: Shinde camp

He said during the MVA government, Thackeray had given full control of Thane district to Shinde, then a Cabinet minister, and some officials appointed by him had helped rebel Shiv Sena MLAs to sneak out of Mumbai and reach Surat on June 20.

Queried about him being soft on senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, Pawar said the two had political and ideological differences but weren’t enemies, and cited the example of Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray who attacked each other during rallies and speeches but were good friends.

Pawar went on add that a commonality between him and Fadnavis was that they were both born on July 22. Pawar was born in 1959 and Fadnavis in 1970.

Speaking about the rise of the BJP over the last few years, Pawar said it was all due to the charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who managed to lead the party to a majority in consecutive Lok Sabha polls in 2014 and 2019, a feat which even veterans like former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani could not manage.

“However, today when the question is asked who after Modi, then no name comes to the fore and we know going forward there will be coalition governments at the national level,” the NCP leader added.

On India surpassing China as the world’s most populous nation, Pawar said some stringent measures need to be taken to check its growth.

“A child is not a blessing of Allah or Parameshwar. It is the blessing of the husband and wife. This fact should be understood by all and superstitions on this issue must be removed,” Pawar said.

He said had the five-point programme of Sanjay Gandhi (to check population growth) been implemented properly, the problems associated with the rise in population would not have been faced by the country.

Pawar on Friday skipped a meeting of his party’s Mumbai unit, raising eyebrows in political circles as speculation about his next political move refuses to die down.

Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pawar played down the buzz saying he was unable to attend the NCP convention as he had to remain present for some other programmes happening at the same time.

He insisted nothing much should be read into this.

ALSO READ | Ajit Pawar gets signatures of 40 ready to bolt

April 21, 2023