Nothing to do with politics, Tatkare refutes claims over meeting with Sharad Pawar
A day after meeting opposition Nationalist Congress Party (SP) Chief Sharad Pawar at his residence, Maharashtra Chief of ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Sunil Tatkare on Wednesday said that the meeting was to inquire about the senior leader’s health and no political discussion was held. “Yesterday, I paid a courtesy visit to the honorable Sharad […]
The meeting, attended by party MPs, MLAs and office-bearers, came in the backdrop of recent meetings between ruling NCP leaders Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel with Pawar, which had fuelled speculation over a rapprochement between the rival factions. (File image) A day after meeting opposition Nationalist Congress Party (SP) Chief Sharad Pawar at his residence, Maharashtra Chief of ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Sunil Tatkare on Wednesday said that the meeting was to inquire about the senior leader’s health and no political discussion was held.
“Yesterday, I paid a courtesy visit to the honorable Sharad Pawar Saheb at his residence, Silver Oak, to enquire about his health. Saheb had been unwell recently and was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital for treatment. I had intended to visit him since then, but due to scheduling constraints, the meeting finally took place yesterday. There was no discussion on any political topics during this meeting, nor was that the purpose of the visit,” Tatkare said.
“Saheb (Sharad Pawar) has been making significant contributions to national politics for the past six decades. Having worked under his guidance for a long time, he has played a major role in my political upbringing. Therefore, visiting him and checking on his well-being is part of a rich political tradition in Maharashtra that transcends party lines. This meeting was held in keeping with that very tradition. Saheb’s health is now excellent, and his energy for work remains as vibrant as ever,” said Tatkare.
Amid controversy over the omission of several senior leaders including Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Pati and Sunil Tatkare from the Nationalist Congress Party’s national office-bearers list, Tatkare’s visit to Sharad Pawar on Tuesday triggered fresh political speculation.
The clarification comes amid allegations made by NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar that Tatkare and Praful Patel are set to contest the next elections from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pawar claimed that both the NCP leaders along with 22 MLAs and some MLAs from Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena are set to switch sides and join hands with the BJP.
The BJP has denied speculations about Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare joining their party as baseless. Tatkare too rejected the claims made by Rohit Pawar.
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