Sharad Pawar quells sparks in MVA post Marathi convention

Sharad Pawar resolves MVA conflicts, criticizes controversial statements, and questions morality of politicians in Maharashtra.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Monday (February 24, 2025) quelled the sparks flying within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) since the last few days, first over the felicitation of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and then after the controversial statements against Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray from the platform of the All India Marathi Literature Convention.

“This convention was very successful. And it wasn’t very controversial,” Mr. Pawar, who played the chairperson of the reception committee of the literary convention, said, in contrast to the criticism levelled by Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut about the politicisation of the platform.

But Mr. Pawar supported Mr. Raut on his comments against Shiv Sena leader Nilam Gorhe, who had criticised Mr. Thackeray from the platform.

“What Mr. Raut has said is 100% correct. There was no need for her to create this needless controversy. It would have been better, had she stayed away from making such statements,” he said, adding that she had herself changed parties four times in a short span. “Her statement was one of silliness. I don’t want to say anything more,” Mr. Pawar said.

“If he finds me responsible for it because I was the chairperson of the reception committee, I won’t oppose it,” the NCP (SP) chief said, responding to Mr. Raut’s criticism that Mr. Pawar should take responsibility for it.

At the same time, he also took a jibe at Mr. Raut over his comment that Mr. Pawar should not have felicitated Mr. Shinde. “If I have to take permission before deciding who I should felicitate, I will remember this,” he told reporters. He also refused to give any importance to Mr. Raut’s criticism over the felicitation of Mr. Shinde.

Mr. Pawar slammed Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde. “If someone has even a bit of self-respect, that person would have resigned immediately. They wouldn’t have stayed in that position. I don’t think these people have any relation to morality,” he said, when asked if Mr. Munde should have resigned on moral grounds.