Shiv Sena (UBT) frowns over Shinde’s felicitation by Pawar
NCP founder Sharad Pawar felicitated Eknath Shinde in a function in Delhi.
Mumbai: The Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena is upset after NCP founder Sharad Pawar felicitated Eknath Shinde in a function in Delhi. Calling Shinde a traitor, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said that Pawar has insulted Maharashtra. NCP (SP) justified Pawar saying it is a culture of Maharashtra to give respect to leaders of other parties.
On Tuesday, Sharad Pawar felicitated Mr. Shinde with the Mahadji Shinde Rashtriya Gaurav Award on the occasion of the 98th All India Marathi Literary Conference in New Delhi. While bestowing an award upon Mr. Shinde, Mr. Pawar appreciated his efforts in the development of Maharashtra.
“In recent years, Eknath Shinde came to be known as a leader who has good knowledge of urban issues. Mr. Shinde has given direction to the Thane Municipal Corporation and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and the state government. He did not harbour any animosity towards the opposition and solved the problems of the people,” Mr. Pawar said about Shinde at the function.
However, it has not gone down well with the Shiv Sena (UBT). “Pawar Saheb, we also know politics. Sharad Pawar did not felicitate Mr. Shinde but Amit Shah, who divided Maharashtra. Giving such an honour to traitors is a blow to the identity of Maharashtra. Mr. Pawar should not have gone to Mr. Shinde’s program. The politics of the state is going in a strange direction,” Mr. Raut said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader further said that giving awards to leaders who made Maharashtra suffer by breaking political parties is a blot on the state’s image. “In politics, no one is a friend or enemy, that is fine. But, handing out awards to those who have made Maharashtra suffer, those whom we consider enemies of Maharashtra, is a blow to the state’s identity. You honoured those who weakened Maharashtra by breaking the Shiv Sena. Maharashtra has suffered because of this. We do not understand your Delhi politics, but we do understand politics. Certain things should be avoided in politics,” he said.
NCP (SP) MP Amol Kolhe said Mr. Raut could be voicing his personal opinion. Pointing out that the event was part of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, he said, “Mr. Pawar showed statesmanship. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. He is the president of the event (reception committee). We should not not bring politics into everything.”
Mr. Pawar’s grand nephew and Maharashtra MLA Rohit Pawar said that Mr. Raut must have reacted angrily because the BJP has spoiled the Maharashtra politics in the last three years. “Maharashtra has a rich political culture which leaders like Balasaheb Thackeray and Sharad Pawar have carried forward. They never let their political differences come in the way of social and cultural events. But in the last three years, BJP has poisoned the state politics. Mr. Raut must have reacted this way because of that,” he said.
