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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally in Maharashtra, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, engaged in a war of words over an article in Organiser, a weekly known to be close to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The Organiser article had criticized the BJP for forming an alliance with the NCP, and NCP leader and state minister Chhagan Bhujbal said, “To some extent, it (article) may be true.
He also pointed out that the BJP had been criticized for including leaders from the Congress, such as former chief minister Ashok Chavan.
NCP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel said an article in a weekly does not reflect the BJP's stance, while NCP youth wing leader Sooraj Chavan said the BJP gives credit to the RSS for its success but blames Ajit Pawar for its failures.
Hitting back, BJP MLC Pravin Darekar said, “The RSS is like a father figure to all of us. There is no need to make comments about the RSS.
Sooraj Chavan should not have rushed to comment on the organization.
The BJP has not commented against the NCP.
It would be better if such issues are discussed during NDA meetings.”
The New Indian Express, citing unnamed sources, reported that after the write-up, the BJP may snap ties with Ajit Pawar and fight assembly elections with Ekanth Shinde-led Shiv Sena as its ally.
Source: Maharashtra: War of words between NCP, BJP leaders over Organiser article. ‘RSS is like a…’