Allies Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress Deliver Message To Sharad Pawar Weeks Ahead Of INDIA Meet In Mumbai

Opposition bloc INDIA is currently presenting a united front and making plans for their next major meeting in Mumbai. However, there is trouble brewing in Maharashtra.

The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), a crucial member of the opposition alliance in Maharashtra, is not pleased with Sharad Pawar's meetings with his nephew and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

This comes weeks after Ajit Pawar's rebellion caused a split in the veteran's party.

Although senior Pawar has stated that he has no intention of joining forces with the BJP, his ally, the Shiv Sena, is openly expressing its disapproval of the meetings.

Sanjay Raut, a leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) party and a member of the Rajya Sabha, has responded to senior Pawar's remark about his meeting with his nephew.

Raut said "Sharad Pawar is saying Ajit Pawar is his nephew and can meet him. Why are their followers fighting on the streets then?" Then he satirically added, "We don't put up appearances by sitting with another party's leaders as our workers fight."

The leader of team Thackeray compared Sharad Pawar to the respected figure of "Bhishma Pitamaha" in Maharashtra politics. He advised senior Pawar to refrain from taking any actions that may create doubts in the minds of the people.

Raut informed that they have had a conversation with Nana Patole, the Maharashtra Congress chief, regarding Sharad Pawar's meeting with Ajit Pawar.

Raut's comments follow an article in his party's mouthpiece, Saamana, which expressed amusement at the frequent meetings between Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar, with the latter not avoiding them.

The statement suggests that there is speculation about BJP's 'Chanakya' attempting to create confusion by arranging a meeting between Ajit and senior Pawar.

However, it is believed that such meetings could damage the reputation of Sharad Pawar, which is not desirable.

Sharad Pawar, the experienced politician, has made it clear that his meeting with Ajit Pawar is purely a family gathering and that he has no intentions of switching sides.

In a press conference after his meeting with his nephew, Sharad Pawar, as the national president of the NCP (Nationalist Congress Party), emphasised that his party will not form an alliance with the BJP. He also stated that any association with the BJP does not align with the political policies of the NCP.

Amidst the commotion caused by the meeting, he clarified that there was nothing wrong with him meeting his nephew. He emphasised that if a senior family member wishes to meet another family member, there should be no issue with that. He further stated that there was no secrecy involved in his meeting with Ajit Pawar.

The opposition front is closely observing these meetings as they plan their next gathering in Mumbai on 31 August.

Last month, there was a shocking turn of events when Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs from Sharad Pawar's party joined the government led by Eknath Shinde. Since then, several MLAs from the NCP have declared their support for the Ajit Pawar camp, as Sharad Pawar fights to maintain control over the party.