Bitterness over? Ajit Pawar goes all-out to sing praises of Sena leader Vijay Shivtare

The Deputy Chief Minister was referring to the discussions they had with Shivtare following his decision to revolt in Baramati Lok Sabha constituency. Shivtare had also attacked Ajit Pawar, alleging that he had tried to wreck his political career.

In his speech, Ajit Pawar showered praise on  Shivtare, raising eyebrows among a section of the crowd who had a few days back heard Shivtare venting his spleen against the Deputy CM. ”There are no permanent enemies in politics…When Vijayrao Shivtare took a stand (against him), the media played it up. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was also pained by the stand taken by Shivtare. When Shivtare realised that it has hurt the Chief Minister, he immediately changed his stand. When we all met in Mumbai, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told me that you will now see the friendship of Vijay Shivtare,” he said.

Pawar did not stop at that he even described Shivtare as a man of tenacity. He said that Vijay Shivtare chases a certain issue, then he takes it to its logical conclusion. ”Shivtare does not want anything. He only wants development of all talukas in Baramati Lok Sabha constituency. He had raised the demand when we met and even now he has raised the same demand. As Deputy Chief Minsiter, I promise that all issues raised by him will be addressed,” he said.

Addressing the gathering, Shivtare promised Ajit Pawar that Purandar assembly constituency will take the lion’s share in Sunetra Pawar’s victory. “Purandar will give maximum number of votes to the Mahayuti candidate. Certain things have taken place but we should all forget them,” he said. Alluding to his differences with Ajit Pawar, Shivtare said, “We had differences…but we have forgotten them and have joined hands for the sake of Mahayuti. I request everyone to turn out in big numbers to vote for our candidate Sunetra Pawar.

A vote for Sunetra Pawar means a vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” Shivtare said Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has promised to take care of his demands. “Now it is up to the Chief Minister to live up to his words,” he said. Shivtare had decided not only to contest as a rebel but had also vowed to defeat Sunetra Pawar to avenge his alleged humiliation by Ajit Pawar.

Shivtare hails from Purandar assembly constituency from where he had become MLA. He has a sizeable following in Purandar and neighbouring talukas. The Ajit Pawar is looking into encash on his popularity to take a sizeable lead. Earlier, the Pawar camp had also succeeded in roping Mahadev Jankar on its side. Jankar had in 2014 contested against Supriya Sule and given her a scare. “Shivtare joining hands with Ajit Pawar has further increased chances of Sunetra Pawar’s victory,” said NCP spokesperson Umesh Patil. “In politics, everything is fair,” he added, referring to Shivtare’s virulent attacks and subsequent friendship.