MUMBAI: Sharad Pawar‘s move to felicitate DCM Eknath Shinde at a function in New Delhi triggered a political row within MVA Wednesday, with Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut saying honouring those who “divided” Maharashtra was a blow to the state’s identity and self-respect.
Rohit Pawar of NCP (SP) called Raut’s reaction surprising, saying that a distinction between socio-cultural events and political differences had always been maintained in Maharashtra. “But considering the dirty politics played by BJP in the last 2-3 years… this is probably why Sanjay Raut reacted so hastily,” Rohit added.
Shinde, for his part, responded to Raut’s comment by saying the MP’s “mental balance” had “deteriorated”.
Pawar on Tuesday presented Mahadji Shinde Rashtra Gaurav Puraskar to Shinde in the presence of Jyotiraditya Scindia on the occasion of the 98th Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan.
Raut: Felicitating Shinde akin to honouring Shah
A day after Sharad Pawar presented an award to Dy CM Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said Shinde had split the Shiv Sena with the help of Amit Shah, and felicitating Shinde was akin to honouring Shah.
“This is our feeling, perhaps Sharad Pawar’s feeling may be different. But the people of Maharashtra have not accepted this. You are honouring those who broke Shiv Sena; this has hurt us. Politics in Delhi may be different, but this has hurt us. Some things are to be avoided in politics. You (Sharad Pawar) and Ajit Pawar may be having an affair, but we are taking the next step with this in mind,” Raut said. “Maharashtra politics is going in a very strange direction… We feel Pawar should not have attended the event,” he added.
Rohit Pawar, after expressing surprise over the comments, said, “Maharashtra has the tradition of civilised politics of the late Yashwantrao Chavan, and leaders like the late Balasaheb Thackeray and respected Pawar Saheb carried this tradition forward, never allowing political differences to be a hindrance in socio-cultural programmes and always emphasising the strengthening of social and cultural bonds in Maharashtra. But considering the dirty politics played by BJP in the last 2-3 years… this is probably why Sanjay Raut reacted so hastily.”
State BJP chief and minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule took a dig at Sena (UBT), stating that by felicitating Shinde, Sharad Pawar has admitted Shinde was a better CM than Uddhav Thackeray.
Responding to Raut’s statement, Shinde said, “During the assembly polls, people showed those who only indulge in criticism their place and made them sit at home. He (Raut) is full of hatred, whether it is hatred against PM Modi, against Amit Shah, or Shinde.”