Maha Allies Face-off: Ajit Pawar Objects To Sanjay Raut Writing On NCP Like Their "Spokesperson"; Raut Responds

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar denied 'speculation' of him joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

He also had a go at Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament (MP) Sanjay Raut for writing about NCP as if he was their party spokesperson, referring to Raut's write-up published on 16 April in the Sena publication Saamana.

"There are some people who are in other parties and not in NCP, but are making statements about the NCP. They are behaving as if they are the spokesperson of NCP and speaking about our party affairs," Pawar said, without naming Raut, the Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson.

“I am going to raise this issue in the party meeting. You should remain your party’s spokesperson and should not try to be NCP’s spokesperson,” Pawar added.

The NCP leader took issue with Raut's latest weekly column Rokthok.

Raut in his column quoted Sharad Pawar, saying that some NCP leaders were targeted by central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to join forces with the BJP.

He also mentioned that the NCP as a party would never align with the BJP, even if individuals chose to do so.

“You are writing in a mouthpiece. It is a mouthpiece of your party. You present your party’s stand in your mouthpiece. Why are you quoting us and writing about our party?

"We are capable enough to present our side and stand. You do not need to speak on our behalf and present our side, we have not appointed you as our lawyer. We have our own spokespersons and leaders of our party who are capable of presenting our party’s side," Ajit Pawar said.

In reponse to Pawar's comments, Raut said, “(Sharad) Pawar saheb can raise questions on my credibility. I will only listen to Pawar saheb."

“Ajit dada should say whether attempts are being made to break the opposition (parties). Did they not break Shiv Sena? Are attempts not being made to break the NCP?” he asked.

"Sharad Pawar saheb is himself saying this," Raut claimed, adding: "If I keep information of all this, then what is wrong in it?"