MAHARASHTRA’s election turf, which sunk to a new low after a BJP leader targetted NCP (SP) national president Sharad Pawar, sunk further low as political leaders attacked each other.
On Wednesday, farmer leader Sadhabhau Khot, who had become an MLC in June 2022 as an independent backed by BJP, made disparaging remarks about Sharad Pawar’s face, which drew strong rebuke from Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, estranged nephew of the Maratha strongman.
Speaking at an election rally for BJP candidate Gopichand Padalkar at Jat assembly seat in Sangli district, Khot said, ”Arre Pawar saheb, tumchya chillya pillyanni, karkhane hanle, banka hanlya, soot girnya hanlya…Evdhe hanla tari suddha, bhashnat ata mahantay, mala Maharashtra badlaychay. Mala Maharashtra cha chehra badlaychay ? Kasla tula chehra badlaychay ? Kasla chehra ? Tula tujya chehra sarkha pahije ka ? (Arre Pawar saheb your associates milked banks, cotton mills, factories…But we will have to applaud Pawar…despite all this, in his speech, he says he wants to change Maharashtra, he wants to change the face of Maharashtra, what face you intend to change ? Which face ? Do you want it like your face?)”
It is to be noted that Sharad Pawar underwent a surgery on his mouth after being diagnosed with oral cancer in 2004.
Khot’s reaction drew instant rebuke from Ajit Pawar who in a tweet condemned the language used against Sharad Pawar. ”We will not tolerate such kind of a language against a senior leader like Sharad Pawar,” he said.
Speaking to reporters in Pune on Thursday morning, Ajit Pawar said, “This is not the culture here. From the time of Yashwantrao Chavan, Maharashtra has a had a tradition of cultured politics. The legacy of Chavan has been carried forward by other leaders such as Vasantrao Naik, Vasantdada Patil and Pawar saheb. When we target our rivals, we should observe some restrain.”
Talking about the disparaging remarks made by Khot, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “Whatever statement was made yesterday is highly condemnable. I condemned it strongly yesterday itself. I called him up and told him that none of us have liked his statement and that he should withdraw it. Targeting someone personally is not our way…And it should not have happened in case of Pawar saheb.”
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Later on Thursday, Khot withdrew his remarks. ”I did not intent to target anyone’s face. What I said is the kind of language used in rural areas. My remarks were wrongly interpreted. If they have hurt anyone’s sentiments, I would like to withdraw them and express regret.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, ”We respect Sharad Pawar. He has been bestowed with Padma Bhushan by the central government. But two dogs of Devendra Fadnavis keep barking…Maharashtra feels ashamed of such leaders.”
Raut said Maharashtra has a rich tradition of cultured and sensible leaders. ”But Devendra Fadnavis has let loose such insensible and insensitive leaders who are not even sparing someone who is not in best of health,” he said.
Hitting back at Raut, Khot told ABP Majha, a Marathi news channel, ”If Sanjay Raut is calling me a dog, then he should know dogs are honest and protect their owners. But the MVA pig should remember, no matter how much soap we apply to it, it will still stray into the slush.”
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State NCP (S-P) president Jayant Patil said, ”It seems like they (Mahayuti) are in possession of a dog squad…People of Maharashtra will give them a befitting reply.”
BJP spokesperson Ashish Shelar said,”If anyone says Sanjay Raut is the bulldog of Silver Oak (Sharad Pawar residence in Mumbai), will he be okay with that ?”
Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis.
Professional Legacy
Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles.
Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change.
Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities.
Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees.
Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area:
1. Political Shifts & Alliances
"Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala.
"BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls.
"Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections.
"NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections.
2. Civic & Administrative Accountability
"PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions.
"93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads.
3. Social & Labor Issues
"As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra.
"Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse.
Signature Beat
Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport.
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