Raj Thackeray Targets Sharad Pawar Over Caste Politics in Maharashtra

MNS Chief Raj Thackeray accused NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar of fostering caste-based politics in Maharashtra since 1999. During a rally, he highlighted the ensuing tensions between Marathas and OBCs, attributing societal divisions to Pawar's influence and urging voters to focus beyond caste considerations.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray took a sharp jab at Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (Sharad Pawar) president Sharad Pawar on Saturday over the alleged promotion of caste politics in Maharashtra, which Thackeray claimed has been ongoing since 1999 for political gain.

Speaking at a rally organized ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections scheduled for November 20 in Pune, Thackeray accused Pawar of pitting Marathas against Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in a fresh wave of casteist politics. He alleged that Pawar's actions have perpetuated societal hatred, transforming prior tensions between Brahmins and Marathas into today's discord between Marathas and OBCs.

Thackeray urged voters to look beyond caste when choosing leaders, citing figures like Chandrakant Patil and Kishor Shinde as examples. He lamented that Pawar's influence since the establishment of the NCP in 1999 has led to increased casteism and societal discord, contrasting it with the unity fostered by historical figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

(With inputs from agencies.)