Shiv Sena leader Vijay Shivtare has vowed to contest from the Baramati constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra will also be contesting from the seat.
After Vijay Shivtareonce again targeted Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and vowed to file his nomination papers from the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, the NCP on Sunday threatened to quit the ruling Mahayuti alliance if the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde did not sack him.
“’We have been demanding that action should be taken against Vijay Shivtare after his outburst against the deputy chief minister last week. Today, he has again used objectionable language against our leader. Now, only his sacking by the Shiv Sena will pacify us. Otherwise, we are contemplating leaving the Mahayuti alliance,” NCP chief spokesperson Umesh Patil toldThe Indian Express.
Patil said that his party had earlier conveyed to Shinde its demand for action against Shivtare. “Since no action has so far been taken by the Shiv Sena, we are seriously considering whether to stay in the Mahayuti or not. Things have gone beyond the point of tolerance. We can’t allow such unnecessary and objectionable targeting of our leader. This will only cause bitterness among NCP and Shiv Sena workers and leaders across the state. And ultimately it will affect the winning percentage of the Mahayuti. This has to stop and Shinde Sena should immediately sack Shivtare,” he said.
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Speaking to reporters, Shivtare said on March 12 that he would file his nomination papers from the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, from where Supriya Sule of the NCP led by Sharad Pawar and Sunetra Pawar of the NCP led by Ajit Pawar are fielded.
“There is a lot of confusion among my workers and supporters as to whether I am going to file the nomination papers or not. Some of them are thinking that I might reach a settlement. But I want to urge Mahayuti leaders to let me contest from Baramati. This is a fight of religion. If politics has to be cleaned, then I will have to take the lead,” the Sena leader said.
Without naming anyone, Shivtare said, “If I have to stop one devil, that means the other devil will succeed. They have spread terror in rural areas. They have hurt many…This one has gone close to Prime Minister Modi…After winning the election, I will work as a fakir.”
Shivtare said he was getting an overwhelming response from voters. “I will not allow any big leader to share the platform with me. Only the common man will be with me. I will hold rallies in all Assembly constituencies,” he said.
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