‘Responsible people making childish statement:’ Pawar on allegations of him behind Jarange-Patil

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday announced an inquiry after Maharashtra BJP MLC Pravin Darekar claimed that Sharad Pawar had conspired with the Maratha reservation activist to create unrest.

On Tuesday, Sharad Pawar, along with his daughter Supriya Sule, also took a review of the preparations for Lok Sabha elections in Baramati. Express file photo

Refuting allegations of the ruling alliance that he was behind Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar said the statement of the “responsible” person is “childish” and never before has this happened in the past.

“I have never in the past witnessed responsible people making such statements. I was the first one to meet Jarange-Patil when I got to know about his indefinite hunger strike in demand of Maratha reservation. I had told him that I understood his demand and asked him not to do anything that will increase the rift between the two communities as there is a need for social harmony in the state. It should not lead to hatred among communities. Thereafter, I had no communication or meeting with him,” Pawar said, when asked about the BJP leaders making allegations that he was behind Jarange-Patil.

On the allegation of NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Rajesh Tope’s suspicious role in Maratha agitation, Pawar said, “It is wrong. I was aware that the state government was taking help from Tope and other leaders of the adjoining area to resolve the issue.”

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As the state government has announced an SIT to find out who was behind Jarange-Patil, he said, “There should be SIT. We have no connection with it. The phone calls of everyone should be verified.”

On Tuesday, Pawar, along with his daughter Supriya Sule, took a review of the preparations for Lok Sabha elections in Baramati. “The situation is favourable for us. I have got the feedback. The Congress as well as Shiv Sena (UBT) are working hard in the constituency. Other political parties are also cooperating,” he said.

On Sunetra Pawar likely to contest the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, the veteran leader said that everyone in the democracy can contest the elections. “I have been getting information that people are getting phone calls about losing their job if they support the rival candidate. I have assured the people that we will stand by them and they should not consider themselves alone,” Pawar said.

Also Read | Speaker orders SIT probe to find ‘who sponsored and instigated’ Jarange Patil

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