Mumbai, July 9 (IANS). Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has decided to hold a party meeting in the chamber of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at Vidhan Bhavan. The decision has sparked a new conflict in the Mahavikas Aghadi as Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has accused senior leaders of giving recognition to traitors.
Sanjay Raut also criticized Sharad Pawar for meeting Deputy CM Shinde.
In a press conference, Raut further said that senior leaders should avoid giving political recognition and respect to traitors.
Acknowledging Sharad Pawar’s political stature, Raut said, “Sharad Pawar is undoubtedly a big leader and a very respected person. However, holding a party meeting in the office of the traitor who toppled our government weakens the credibility of a person of such stature. Eknath Shinde has ruined Maharashtra with deception and corruption. Why did Pawar sahib choose his chamber for the meeting? Was the entire Vidhan Sabha empty? He has the YB Chavan Foundation. Our loyal This is the firm opinion of the grassroots workers.”
Taking a dig at the NCP (SP) chief’s accommodating nature, Raut said, “We will never go to a traitor’s office to hold our party meetings. We are not that tolerant nor are we that big-hearted. Those who are big-hearted can do whatever they want but we do not accept this. It is because of such compromises that the NCP (SP) loses its credibility among the public.”
Raut claimed that the entire alliance was angry. If we were in his place, we too would never have held a meeting in Ajit Pawar’s chamber. We would have remembered his betrayal of Sharad Pawar and maintained political decorum. All associates of Maha Vikas Aghadi should follow these basic principles.
Referring to the high-level meeting held at Vidhan Bhavan on Wednesday, which was apparently called to discuss the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute, Raut raised questions on its outcome.
He said that what actually happened in that meeting is not known. How many big leaders of the state had the Chief Minister called? Shiv Sena (UBT) is a major political party and is an important part of the border dispute movement. This matter has been pending for decades. What is the solution to this? What was discussed and what is the date of the next meeting? No answer has been received to these questions.
He further said that Sharad Pawar visiting Eknath Shinde’s office and holding his party’s meeting there is something that has really hurt Shiv Sena UBT. Accusing Sharad Pawar of giving recognition to the current ruling faction, Raut posed a political challenge.
He said that Sharad Pawar is giving respect to traitors and Shiv Sena is very restless due to this. If you continue to give respect to traitors, you will lose your moral right to speak against the rebellion in your own party.
Raut asked, “Ajit Pawar had also betrayed. Then why did you go to the court and take a stand against him? We are continuously fighting against Eknath Shinde. Why are you giving him recognition? We are very saddened by this.”
Sanjay Raut made it clear that his anger was purely political, not personal. My relationship with Sharad Pawar is based on deep affection and intimacy, but when it comes to my party’s stand I remain firm. If senior leaders continue to honor traitors, the image of the state will definitely be tarnished. I can talk to Sharad Pawar anytime, but this matter is very serious for us as a political party. We will never sit with those who betrayed you.
–IANS
DKM/PM
