Aaditya Thackeray Skips Sharad Pawar Meeting After His Praise For Eknath Shinde

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray skipped a meeting with his ally, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, in New Delhi on Thursday.

Aaditya had met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Aam Admi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday evening after the latter’s defeat in the Delhi assembly election.

His decision to not meet Pawar came after the NCP (SP) leader recently honoured Shiv Sena chief and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Pawar had felicitated Shinde with the ‘Mahadji Shinde Rashtra Gaurav Award’ and praised his work in developing Thane. The Sena UBT, however, criticised the decision, arguing that someone who played a role in toppling the MVA government and breaking the Shiv Sena should not have been honoured.

Asked about his decision on Thursday, Aaditya said, “I can meet Pawar saheb in Maharashtra. Last month, I met him for some work. I came here to meet Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal.”

Meanwhile, Sena UBT MPs have attended dinners hosted by their parliamentary colleagues from the Shinde faction in the capital. Once the news went viral, Aaditya reportedly called a meeting with them, and cautioned them against attending such events without permission from the party.

A dinner at Union minister Prataprao Jadhav’s residence was attended by Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli) and Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shirdi). Another, organised by Shrikant Shinde, saw Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai Northeast) in attendance. Patil later denied going to the dinner.

In the midst of this controversy, Industry Minister Uday Samant and MP Naresh Mhaske from the Shiv Sena met Pawar at his residence in Delhi on Wednesday evening. Samant told the media that they discussed the sahitya sammelan and other matters.

NCP (SP) MLA Jeetendra Awhad defended his leader, stating that when the time comes, Pawar will take a strong stance against the Mahayuti government.