Sharad Pawar visits Dy CM Shinde,sparks fresh buzz

• Sharad Pawar met MLAs at Eknath Shinde's office in Mumbai
• The visit was for a border dispute committee meeting, not realignment
• Party leaders say the location was chosen for Pawar's convenience

NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Wednesday met MLAs of his party in Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's office at the Vidhan Bhavan complex

in Mumbai, sparking buzz over political realignment. However, the speculation was turned down by both the NCP-led by Pawar and the ruling Mahayuti alliance. It has been learnt that Pawar was at the state legislature premises to attend a meeting as a member of the high-powered committee formed by the state government on the long-pending Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute, news agency PTI reported. After attending the meeting, Pawar, whose party is a constituent of the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi, paid a courtesy visit to Shinde in his chamber, the Deputy Chief Minister's office said. During the visit, Shinde welcomed Pawar with a shawl and a bouquet during their meeting. However, no details of the discussion between the two leaders were disclosed. Shinde-led Shiv Sena is a partner in the ruling Mahayuti coalition, which also comprises the BJP and the NCP, led by Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar.

Why Was Sharad Pawar In Shinde's Office?

Responding to the ongoing buzz over Pawar meeting his party MLAs in Eknath Shinde's office, NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil said that the party MLAs expressed a desire to meet Pawar when he was leaving the building. As it is difficult for Pawar to walk, it would have been difficult for Pawar to reach the room where most of the Opposition MLAs sit, and therefore, Shinde's cabin was chosen as a convenient place.

"Walking back to the room where most of the Opposition MLAs sit would have been difficult for Pawar saheb. So we thought Shinde's cabin would be convenient, given it is located near the exit, so Pawar saheb could avoid long walking," Patil said.

He said Shinde was not in his chamber when Pawar came. "I suggested to Pawar saheb to sit there to meet our MLAs. When Shinde came to know about Pawar saheb, he came down to pay a visit for ten minutes," he said.

'Nothing Unusual': Uday Samant

Reacting to the meeting, Maharashtra minister Uday Samant said there was nothing unusual about Shinde welcoming a senior political leader.

"Sharad Pawar, who is a senior leader of the country, visits the office of our leader Eknath Shinde; then respecting and welcoming him is a part of Maharashtra's political tradition. There is nothing wrong with that," Samant said.

(With agency inputs)