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‘Unacceptable’: Ajit Pawar issues showcause notice to MLA Sangram Jagtap for ‘Diwali shopping only from Hindu shopkeepers’ remark

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that the NCP would send a show-cause notice to Ahilyanagar MLA Sangram Jagtap for his remark.

Pawar added that he had met Sangram at an event recently. (Express Photo)

A day after Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Sangram Jagtap urged Hindus to make Diwali purchases exclusively from Hindu shopkeepers and traders, party chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar termed the remark “completely wrong” and said that it was “not acceptable” to the party.

“The statement is completely wrong. We will send him a show-cause notice,” Pawar said in Pune on Saturday. “When the party’s policies and objectives have been decided, no MLA or MP should stray away from them. If anyone makes such statements, those are not acceptable to the party,” he added.

Sangram, the NCP MLA from Ahilyanagar, is the son of the late Arun Jagtap.

“Till Arunkaka Jagtap was alive, everything was fine in Ahilyanagar. But some people have given us an additional burden. Some people should remember that when the patronage of their father is no more available, they need to behave and speak responsibly. This is the land of Shiv-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar. It believes in taking everyone along and ensuring there is progress,” Pawar said.

Pawar added that he had met Sangram at an event recently. “He told me that he will correct his ways. But that does not seem to be happening. His stand and his ideology are not acceptable to our party,” he added.

On Thursday, at a rally in Karmala taluka of Solapur district, Sangram said, “On the occasion of Diwali, every citizen should make purchases only from shops belonging to Hindus. Only Hindus should make a profit out of the sale.” He was speaking a day after AIMIM’s rally in Ahilyanagar, addressed by party chief Asaduddin Owaisi and state party chief Imtiaz Jaleel.

Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Gopal Tiwari said Sangram’s statement was highly condemnable. “It is aimed at disturbing the peace and communal harmony in Maharashtra. The (Devendra) Fadnavis government should file a police complaint against him if it really wants Maharashtra to stay peaceful,” Tiwari said.

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“It is also unfortunate that Ajit Pawar, who often swears that his party follows the ideology of Shahu-Phule Ambedkar, is now talking of sending a mere show-cause notice. The statement made by Sangram Jagtap is inflammatory and can lead to a dangerous situation. Ajit Pawar should immediately take action against Sangram Jagtap since the statement is in the public domain and his videos are going viral. Why does he need to send a show-cause notice? Is he trying to buy time? The MLA should be immediately sacked by NCP if the party truly believes in the ideology of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who never discriminated between people from different religious backgrounds during his rule,” he added.

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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