The spokesperson of the ruling Shiv Sena of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde made an open offer to Leader of the Opposition and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar to “come over to their side” even as Mr. Pawar on Friday targeted the Shinde-Fadnavis government over rising incidents of communal divide and extravagant government advertisements.
Speaking at Jalgaon in north Maharashtra, Mr. Pawar, in a veiled jibe at the Shinde-BJP government, had questioned why incidents of communal nature were repeatedly occurring in Maharashtra, while alluding to the recent communal flare-up in Kolhapur.
Responding to Mr. Pawar’s suggestive allegations at the ruling government, Minister and Shinde faction spokesperson Deepak Kesarkar said: “We have great respect for Ajit Pawar. However, he, as Leader of the Opposition is a responsible leader…he should not make statements [accusing the Shinde government of being behind communal tensions] like [Thackeray camp leader] Sanjay Raut whom no one takes seriously.”
