New Delhi: Voicing strong objections to Shiv Sena minister Tanaji Sawant’s controversial comments about the NCP, frustrated party members have suggested that leaving the government would be preferable to enduring such statements.
At an event in Dharashiv on Thursday, health minister Sawant described himself as a “hardcore Sainik” who has never gotten along with NCP leaders. He remarked, “Even if we sit next to each other in the cabinet, I feel like vomiting afterward.” The BJP, Shiv Sena under CM Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP are currently part of the ruling Mahayuti coalition in the state.
Better to exit the alliance than tolerate such remarks
It was not the first time that Sawant has courted a row with his remarks. Sawant had last year sparked a controversy after he reportedly tried to put pressure on a senior police officer from the Dharashiv district and told him that he does not even listen to chief minister Eknath Shinde and hence the cop should also follow his instructions without any discussion.
In response, NCP officials argued that it would be better to exit the alliance than tolerate such remarks. “I urge our senior leaders to leave Mahayuti rather than endure such statements. Either Tanaji Sawant should be removed, or we should withdraw from the alliance,” said party spokesperson Umesh Patil.
Meanwhile, MVA members have called on the NCP to break away from Mahayuti. The rival NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) criticized Ajit Pawar, claiming he has lost his self-respect, and noted discontent within Shiv Sena over its alliance with Ajit Pawar’s NCP. They also suggested that Sawant’s remarks have significantly undermined Ajit’s political credibility, yet his followers remain silent.
Shiv Sena distances itself from Sawant’s comments
NCP (SP) spokesperson Clyde Crasto said Sawant’s remark shows that Mahayuti does not need the NCP any longer. “The time has come when the BJP will, slowly but steadily, throw Ajit Pawar out of Mahayuti. All is not well and cracks are getting bigger by the day. It is time for Ajit Pawar to wake up and smell the coffee,” Crasto said, PTI reported.
The Shiv Sena distanced itself from Sawant’s comments, clarifying that they reflect “his personal opinion.”
Maharashtra is set to hold elections later this year, where the ruling Mahayuti coalition will compete against the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which outperformed Mahayuti in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
