MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Friday said that “despite being with” NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar all these years, Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar never indulged in caste politics, as reported by news agency PTI.

Though Thackeray and his party is not contesting the Lok Sabha elections, he is supporting the ruling coalition of the BJP, Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Eknath Shinde`s Shiv Sena,

While speaking at a campaign rally at Pune, the MNS chief said, “I may have had many differences with Ajit Pawar, but I can say one thing: he never indulged in caste politics.” At the same time taking a jibe at Pawar senior, he said, “Despite being with Sharad Pawar, I have not seen him indulging in caste politics ever.”

The “venom” of caste politics started spreading in Maharashtra since 1999, the MNS chief further added, in apparent reference to Sharad Pawar forming the Nationalist Congress Party in that year after leaving Congress.

Raj had accused the senior Pawar of playing the caste card and dividing society in the past too. The MNS chief highlighted the issues faced by the cities in terms of basic amenities, and said if there was no proper management, they would collapse, reported ANI. 

“In order to divert attention from these issues, some leaders are involving you in caste (politics). I had on numerous occasions urged you to free yourself of caste politics. Think about yourself and your life,” he said to while addressing the gathering.

He also claimed that `fatwas` were being issued from mosques to vote for Congress. “Today, I issue a `fatwa` to vote for the candidates of BJP, Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Shiv Sena,” he said.

BJP has fielded Murlidhar Kisan Mohol as its candidate who will who will be representing the BJP`s alliance with Eknath Shinde`s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar`s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Meanwhile, Ravindra Dhangekar was given a Congress ticket. Congress has entered in a seat-sharing agreement with Uddhav Thackrey’s Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar-led NCP.

Pune is set to go to polls in the fifth and upcoming phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 on 13th of May. 

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