Cracks in Sena-NCP ties over election to chairman’s post of Khed Panchayat Samiti

“…When it comes to the question of self-respect, we will show what we can do,” Sena chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut told party leaders and workers in Rajgurunagar in Khed on Friday.

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Stating that Shiv Sena respects NCP chief Sharad Pawar and has faith in him, Raut said, “We will approach the NCP regarding this issue, then we will see what to do.”

Raut also said NCP leader Ajit Pawar “should rein in party MLA Dilip Mohite-Patil”. “If Mohite-Patil continues to behave this way, then in the next elections, whether Maha Vikas Aghadi remains or not, we will ensure that Mohite-Patil is defeated and the Sena candidate wins from Khed assembly seat,” he said.

“The Sena will not blame Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar or Supriya Sule for what happened in Khed. We share a good personal relationship with them as well as in the government… it is because of the Khed MLA that relations between Sena and NCP has soured in the taluka….We will take up the issue with top NCP leadership,” said Raut.

He said the party will “deal appropriately” with those who had left Sena and those who had joined hands with NCP. “The Sena members were terrorised and taken away. Mohite-Patil engineered the move….This is dirty politics,” said Raut.

Speaking on the alleged feud, MLA Mohite-Patil said, “I have no role in the rebellion by Sena members in the Khed Panchayat Samiti elections. The allegations levelled against me are false… I will discuss the issue with my party leadership and then give an appropriate reply.”

Mohite-Patil said the Panchayat Samiti chairman who lost his post had also rebelled against the Sena earlier. “Raut is siding with Pokharkar now but Pokharkar had earlier rebelled against Sena and become the chairman with the help of NCP,” he said.