Chaitanya MarpakwarMumbai: The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday hit out at NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar over his meeting with DCM Eknath Shinde on Wednesday, saying Sena (UBT) has been hurt by the veteran politician’s action.Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut alleged that Sharad Pawar is lending dignity to traitors, which is why his party’s credibility is declining. “Pawar is certainly a great leader; he is respected, but holding meetings under the roof of a traitor who toppled his govt reduces and undermines the credibility of a great leader.“Why did Sharad Pawar hold a meeting in Eknath Shinde’s office, who infected Maharashtra with treachery and corruption?” Raut said.Raut is known to be close to Sharad Pawar, and his comments indicate friction between MVA partners NCP (SP) and Sena (UBT) on Pawar’s meeting with Shinde on Wednesday.Shinde said Sharad Pawar is “a big leader” of the state and when he came to his office, he went there to welcome him.“This is the political culture of Maharashtra; we are preserving it. Now, for those who may have stomach aches due to this… their mental health may have deteriorated… We have started many ‘Aapla Dawakhana’ in Mumbai and Thane; they should go there and get treatment. This is stupidity, we are ignoring such people,” Shinde said.NCP (SP) state president Shashikant Shinde clarified that the meeting was just a coincidence and had no political motive. Shashikant Shinde advised other netas in MVA to avoid unnecessary statements.Sharad Pawar created a stir in political circles as he visited Shinde’s office in Vidhan Bhavan on Wednesday. Shinde is said to have left the state cabinet meeting early to meet Pawar. Pawar was in the legislature on Wednesday to attend a meeting of the high-powered committee on the Maharashtra-Karnataka border issue headed by CM Devendra Fadnavis. Shinde greeted Pawar in his office and the two are said to have a conversation too.
