Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday suggested political compulsions post the NCP split forced Sharad Pawar to visit historic Raigad fort for the “first time in 40 years”.

In a dig at the Pawar senior, Fadnavis said NCP leader and deputy CM Ajit Pawar should be given the credit for his uncle`s visit to the fort.

Raigad Fort played a major role in the Maratha history. After being crowned the king of the Maratha kingdom, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj chose the hill fort as his capital.

Earlier in the day, Sharad Pawar unveiled the `man blowing trumpet` symbol allotted to his Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) group by the Election Commission from this fort.

“After Ajit dada took a stand (to join the state government last July), Sharad Pawar visited Raigad fort for the first time in the last 40 years. Credit goes to Ajit Pawar,” Fadnavis told reporters in Pune.

Queried if the names of ex-Union minister Narayan Rane and state assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar are finalised as BJP candidates for upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Fadnavis evaded a direct reply.

“A candidate is not finalised just after holding initial discussions. We will chair some meetings before finalising candidates of Mahayuti (comprising Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP),” he added.

Meanwhile, NCP chief Sharad Pawar Saturday said the `guarantee` or promises given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people of the country was never fulfilled.

He was speaking at the first gathering of the workers of the opposition`s INDIA bloc in the city, a program which was also attended by Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sachin Ahir.

“Today`s gathering is historic. A change will be seen in Maharashtra and the country (in the coming elections). The prime minister is trying to take the country on a different path. The rulers of the country are not working for the betterment of the people. Farmers are in deep trouble,” Pawar said.

Farmers have been protesting against the Union government for more than a year but it is not paying attention to them, he claimed.

“Where is Modi`s guarantee today? PM Modi gave multiple assurances but they were never fulfilled,” Pawar said.

“PM Modi said in Bhopal that the NCP is a corrupt party. I challenge this statement. If there`s any kind of scam in the Maharashtra Cooperative Bank or irrigation projects, let there be an inquiry. The government is misusing power by arresting opposition leaders and using agencies such as the ED, CBI, Income Tax,” the veteran politician further said.

Congress leader Patole said people of the state should be saved from the rampant trade of narcotic drugs.

“The state government gave many assurances about reservation to the Maratha and Dhangar communities, but failed to fulfill them,” he said, alleging that the Eknath Shinde-led regime created a conflict between the Maratha and OBC communities.

It was time the BJP which has “committed many sins” was ousted from power, Patole added. (With inputs from PTI)

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