Uddhav Thackeray upset after Sharad Pawar felicitates Eknath Shinde

Mumbai: The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi appeared as a fragmented house after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray expressed reservations about NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar felicitating Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde.

The MVA represents the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc in Maharashtra, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) and some smaller groups and parties.

On Tuesday evening, at a function in New Delhi, Pawar presented the Mahadji Shinde Rashtriya Gaurav Award, instituted by Pune-based Sarhad as part of the 98th All India Marathi Literary Conference, to Shinde, who is the Shiv Sena chief leader.

BJP leaders, including Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia and Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, who is the Pune MP, were present.

Thackeray’s aide and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut openly expressed his views about Pawar felicitating Shinde - which exposes the emerging faultlines within the MVA.

“Pawar Saheb should have avoided going to the function…Maharashtra would not like this,” said Raut.

According to him, Shinde “broke” the Shiv Sena and Maharashtra with the help of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

“This is not sahitya sammelan but political dalali,” said Raut.

Meanwhile, NCP MLC and spokesperson Amol Mitkari, who is considered close to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, said that Raut is rattled as he has not received the award.

Elsewhere, NCP (SP) MP Dr Amol Kolhe said that there is no harm in such a function."Such functions and events should be seen beyond politics," he added.

Reacting to the development, state BJP President and revenue minister said that this proves that Shinde is better CM than Thackeray.

"Pawar saheb gave the certificate by felicitating Shinde," he said, adding "Thackeray came to Mantralaya just twice while Shinde worked for 22 hours a day...if Raut feels bad, no one can help".