Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Thursday said NCP supremo Sharad Pawar was the “remote control” of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. After a cycle rally from Hanging Garden to Raj Bhavan to protest against fuel price hike, Patole, addressing the media with his party leaders after meeting Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, said, “Sharad Pawar is the only remote control—he has played an important role in making of MVA. Sharad Pawar does guidance and hence he is a remote control.” This remark has fuelled speculation of rift within MVA leaders.
Following Patole’s remark, NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Jayant Patil said, “It’s his lookout; I don’t want to comment on that. He is just a president of the party in Maharashtra. I’m not bound to give any reaction on his statements. He will speak some or the other thing every day. I’m not going to react to those statements.” However, Patole played down the controversy and blamed the BJP for trying to destabilise the government. He said, “Sharad Pawar is head of the NCP and I am of the Congress. Both of us have the mandate to expand our parties. Pawar isn’t angry with us. BJP is trying to create problems for the MVA.”
Apart from fuel price hike, Patole also said he would organise a rally in Baramati—Pawar’s den—in support of the OBC community. Asked about the same Patole said, “There is a crisis in the OBC community. The Centre is yet to provide data to the state…Some people from the OBC community came to me from Pune and asked me to carry out a protest rally in Baramati. There will be a morcha against the Central government in Baramati in support of the OBC community and nothing about others.”