Marathi Sahitya Sammelan: Shinde says ‘tiraskar’ by Uddhav Sena on being honoured a ‘puraskar’ for him

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Sunday said the “tiraskar” (hatred) shown by Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena UBT towards him for receiving the Mahadji Shinde Award was a “puraskar” (recognition) for him, while Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said that it was unclear who was the target of Shinde’s recent recent remark that he should not be “taken lightly”.

Speaking at the concluding day ceremony of the 98th Marathi Sahitya Sammelan at Talkatora stadium in New Delhi, Shinde said, “Sarhad (the main organiser of the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan), honoured me with the award though I had not done any great work. Actually I work as a ‘karyakarta’. Now that I have been honoured, I will ensure that the popularity of the award grows. I promise that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and I will continue to fight for the development of Maharashtra.”

Shinde was felicitated by NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar with the Mahadji Shinde Rashtriya Gaurav Award earlier this month. Stating that it was an honour to receive the award from a big leader like Sharad Pawar, Shinde said that the organisers had to receive flak for felicitating him.

“Some people (referring to Uddhav Sena) seemed to have been troubled by the award being bestowed on me. But those are the people who have always shown ‘tiraskar’ for me... And therefore, I take their ‘tiraskar’ as a ‘puraskar’,” Shinde said.

The Uddhav Sena had expressed disappointment after Sharad Pawar honoured Shinde in the run up to the literary event in New Delhi, while terming Shinde as a “betrayer” who split the Sena founded by Bal Thackeray.

Shinde also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sharad Pawar sharing stage, during inaugural event of the Sahitya Sammelan at Vigyan Bhavan on February 21, was an example of “Maharashtra dharma”.

“We saw the atmosphere of harmony that prevailed when two leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sharad Pawar were present... People saw the respect the two leaders have for each other. And this is what we call the Maharashtra dharma,” he said.

“During elections, we fight against each other but after elections we forget the bitterness and keep working. We go beyond politics to protect our relationship. This is what our Marathi culture and language is all about. We have to preserve this culture,” the Shiv Sena chief added.

Ajit Pawar, who was also at the event, referred to a statement made by Shinde a few days ago, and said: “Eknath Shinde said I should not be taken lightly. I don’t know who he was referring to...whether to Uddhav Sena or someone else.”

On February 21, a day after Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) ordered an inquiry into Rs 900-crore stalled housing project in Jalna that was approved for revival by Shinde during his tenure as CM, Shiv Sena chief issued a veiled warning saying he “should not be taken lightly”.

Ajit Pawar also referred to the way the television cameras are “chasing” the political leaders.

“When Eknath Shinde and I are sharing the stage, the cameras are zoomed in on us. They keep a watch on our body language. They keep watching whether we have smiles on our faces or not... I keep telling myself that my face should look happy... Otherwise they will make some other news,” Pawar said while also claiming that there was no rift within the Mahayuti alliance.