Sharad Pawar calls on PM Modi, says spoke on Koshyari, ED action on Sanjay Raut

During the meeting, Pawar said, he also complained about the delay by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari in approving the 12 names recommended by the State Cabinet for nomination to the Legislative Council.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar with PM Narendra Modi in Parliament on Wednesday. (Source: @PawarSpeaks)

Sparking a buzz in political circles, Sharad Pawar met Narendra Modi at the Prime Minister’s Office in Parliament for about 25 minutes on Wednesday with the NCP chief later saying that he primarily conveyed his concerns over the Enforcement Directorate’s action against Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut.

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During the meeting, Pawar said, he also complained about the delay by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari in approving the 12 names recommended by the State Cabinet for nomination to the Legislative Council.

“On what basis was action taken against Sanjay Raut? This is injustice. What was the provocation? Just because he is making some statements and criticisms does not mean action should be taken against him. What was the need?” Pawar told reporters.

“It is our duty to bring to the Prime Minister’s notice the injustice being done to a journalist and a senior Parliamentarian… I just brought this matter to his notice. If central agencies are taking such steps, then the Centre would have to take responsibility for it,” he said.

Also Read | Explained: The case in which ED has attached assets of Varsha Raut, wife of Sena MP Sanjay Raut

Responding to a question, Pawar said he did not note the Prime Minister’s reaction on the issue.

On Tuesday, the ED attached assets worth more than Rs 115 crore linked to three persons in Mumbai, including Raut’s wife, in a money-laundering investigation.

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Explained

Buzz over timing

The meeting assumes significance since it comes at a time when there is uneasiness within the MVA ruling coalition in Maharashtra over key issues. The Shiv Sena had recently conveyed its unhappiness over what it perceives is a soft approach by the NCP, which holds the Home portfolio, against the BJP.

Asked about the future of the MVA government in Maharashtra, where his party is part of the ruling coalition with Shiv Sena and Congress, Pawar said it would last the full term and win the next election in 2024. “I have been hearing such questions about the future of MVA for the past two-and-a-half years. Nothing will happen. Next election also, the MVA will return to power,” he said.

Incidentally, hours before Pawar’s meeting with the Prime Minister, the CBI took custody of former Maharashtra home minister and NCP leader Anil Deshmukh from the Arthur Road jail in Mumbai and placed him under arrest in connection with corruption allegations raised by former police chief Param Bir Singh.

Asked about the position of UPA chairperson, which is currently held by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Pawar said he was not interested in the post as the largest party in the Opposition was the natural choice. He also sought to downplay Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s presence at a dinner held at his Delhi residence on Tuesday evening. “I had invited MLAs from Maharashtra, who are in Delhi for a training workshop in Parliament, over dinner. Several of them had issues related to roads in their constituencies, so I requested Gadkari to come over to hear their grievances,” the NCP chief said.

Referring to his complaint against the Governor, Pawar said: “The Governor… has kept pending the issue of nominating 12 members to the Legislative Council. I drew the Prime Minister’s attention to these issues…he promised to look into them.”

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Pawar met Modi along with NCP MP P P Mohammad Faizal, who raised issues related to his constituency Lakshadweep.

In Maharashtra, Pawar’s meeting triggered mixed reactions with BJP leader and former minister Sudhir Mungantiwar pointing out that “despite the ED action against NCP leaders, there is no bitterness between BJP and NCP”. “The BJP’s relations with NCP have not soured like they have with Shiv Sena,” he said.

NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was in Shirdi, denied any knowledge of the Delhi meeting. “The country’s Prime Minister and the leader of a national party can meet to discuss development issues… I don’t know what they discussed,” he said.

Manoj Dattatrye More

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. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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