New Delhi (India), 19th April 2023: Amid rumors of his defection to the BJP, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar put an end to the speculation on Tuesday. In the same breath, he took exception to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut for speaking about NCP affairs in the Sena mouthpiece “Saamana” and presenting himself as the spokesperson of the NCP.
Pawar, without taking Raut’s name, warned him not to behave as the NCP’s spokesperson and to stick to his own party’s spokesperson role.
The NCP leader also expressed his objections to Raut’s column “Rokhthol,” published on Sunday, where Raut quoted NCP supremo Sharad Pawar as saying that some NCP leaders were being targeted by central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to join hands with the BJP.
Ajit Pawar clarified that even if anyone from the NCP decides to join the BJP individually, the party as a whole will not join the BJP.
Addressing the media, Pawar criticized Raut’s article in the mouthpiece of his party and questioned why he was quoting them and presenting their views. He asserted that the NCP had capable spokespersons and leaders who were competent enough to present their party’s side and that they had not appointed Raut as their lawyer.
Pawar’s strong message to Raut came during his clarification on rumors of him joining the BJP, which he denied. The NCP leader’s stern warning to Raut is likely to have political implications and may cause further ripples within the Maharashtra political scenario.
