Chhagan Bhujbal-Sharad Pawar meet raises eyebrows in Ajit Pawar's camp
Maharashtra minister and senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Monday met Sharad Pawar, who heads the rival NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), in what is seen as a sign of continuing churn in state politics and leaders hedging their bets.
The meeting, which Bhujbal claimed was to discuss the tensions between OBC and Maratha communities over the latter's demand to be included in the OBC category to gain reservation benefits, has raised eyebrows in the Ajit Pawar camp as sections of leaders in the group believe he is looking to switch sides.
«I came to meet him not as an MLA or a minister or even as a party leader. I came to meet him as there is an explosive situation in some districts of Maharashtra as tensions are running high between the Dalit and Maratha communities. People from both communities are boycotting each other's business. I have come to meet Pawar saheb to seek his help in resolving these tensions before this leads to arson and violence,» said Bhujbal.
While Bhujbal said no political meaning should be read into his meeting with Pawar Sr, those in the Ajit Pawar camp are taking the meeting as an indication that Bhujbal is looking to change sides or carve out an identity as an OBC leader distinct from NCP.
«Ajit Pawar is your party leader and is also the deputy chief minister. If you had to get some issue resolved, then you had to bring it to the notice of your party leader. By meeting (Sharad) Pawar who is in the opposition and asking him to resolve the issue, Bhujbal has tried to show that Sharad Pawar
