Deputy CM Ajit Pawar criticises BJP colleague's remarks against Sharad Pawar

Ajit Pawar. File pic

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar condemned remarks made by his cabinet colleague Chandrakant Patil on NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar. Patil's words, which expressed a desire to beat Sharad Pawar in the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency, were criticised by Ajit Pawar, especially in light of the previous elections.

Sunetra, Ajit Pawar's wife, ran against sitting MP Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar's daughter, in Baramati. Patil has already stated his intention to beat Sharad Pawar in Baramati, citing his displeasure with the veteran politician's activities. Ajit Pawar blasted Patil's words, emphasising how unnecessary they were, reported PTI.

According to the report, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar expressed his displeasure, saying that he instructed Patil to focus on the BJP's operations in Pune while he and his party workers handled the Baramati Lok Sabha seat. He insisted that such remarks should not have been made. However, he confirmed that Patil did not make any further comments later.

"I and my party workers want defeat of Sharad Pawar (in Baramati) and that is enough (for us)," the senior BJP leader had said in March.

Ajit Pawar, while expressing his displeasure, said on Thursday, "He (Patil) should not have made those remarks."

"(After that statement), I told Chandrakant dada to look into the BJP's work in Pune city and me (Ajit Pawar) and my party workers will look after the Baramati Lok Sabha seat. He should not have made those comments. But later, he never spoke a word," Deputy CM Ajit Pawar added.

Supriya Sule replied to Patil's words by accusing the BJP of a political plot against Sharad Pawar. In response, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the state BJP president, defended Patil's remarks, claiming that they were delivered in a "sarcastic" tone typical of elections. When questioned about Ajit Pawar's remarks, Bawankule declined to respond, the PTI report further stated.

According to the report, it is worth noting that the NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, and the BJP are coalition partners in the Maharashtra government.