Maharashtra: ‘Those crying now had one foot in BJP’

Uddhav Thackeray while not saying much on NCP chiefrsquos resignation assured that the latter wouldnrsquot do anything that could harm the MVArsquos interests But when asked whether he too like Congress leaders suspected the intentions of some people in the NCP he asked a reporter ldquoHave you read the editorial in todayrsquos SaamnardquoThe editorial did indeed raise many questions and attempted to find out the reasons prominent among them being the possibility of a split for the octogenarianrsquos sudden announcementThe editorial is seen as the party chiefrsquos official opinion which in a way is Uddhavrsquos endorsementSanjay Raut Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar during a showofstrength meeting in 2019 PicAshish RaneThe editorial said the episode that unfolded at the YB Chavan Centre was an unwritten autobiographical chapter of Pawarrsquos glorious political career It said the announcement was planned but disagreed with Ajit Pawarrsquos revelation that the announcement was slated to be made on May 1 but was delayed by a day because of the MVA rally on Maharashtra Day The editorial dealt with Ajit in many ways as it progressedThe editorial said many in the NCP who sobbed and fell at Pawarrsquos feet following the resignation actually had one foot already in the BJP camp It said the boss had unmasked these leaders the fence sitters who would defy him and leave the party one day though they maintained for the world that ldquowersquore nothing without yourdquoAlso Read BREAKING I have decided to step down as NCP president says Sharad PawarldquoIt is not wrong if Pawar thought of retiring with grace and honour before seeing the party split One section of the NCP has already reached the BJPrsquos doorsteps and ready to move out But before they could create a quake Pawar has caused a much bigger quake by resigning suddenlyrdquoThe editorial said Pawar was a fulltime politician and his move led many to try and find out the reasons for his quitting It said it could be because of the discomfort that the Central agencies like ED have created for some NCP leaders and also because Pawar wanted to stop Ajit and his gang from taking a different position It said Ajitrsquos ultimate political goal was to become the chief minister of MaharashtraIt further said that Pawar might have tested the waters the support of his rank and file in case some MLAs crossed over to the BJP in the near future The Shiv Sena split because 40 MLAs had left but the party and organisation remained intact It is clear that Pawar is being urged to withdraw his resignation But when the leaders demanded a roll back Ajit took an opposite stand saying that Pawar would not withdraw and a new president should be elected in consultation with PawarldquoWho will that president berdquo the editorial asked further suggesting caution in selecting a person who has the acumen to be the national boss It said Ajit wanted to be the CM and Supriya Sule Pawarrsquos daughter has been working great in the Parliament and had a prominent presence in New Delhirsquos political circles ldquoIf made the national president Supriya will have to work hard to attain her fatherrsquos political heightrdquo it saidThe editorial equated Pawar with Bhishma but said he wasnrsquot laying on a bed of nails ldquoHe has shown that he is the sutradhaar man in control He has exposed the fence sitters and people who sobbed most saying they were nothing without him He has cleaned the air and cleared the grey sky He is the hero of the machinations that will continue until the matter is put to restrdquo said the editorialHowever neither Thackeray nor the editorial responded to some observations that Pawarrsquos autobiography has made about Uddhav his working style and politics Pawar has accommodated new chapters that deal with the past ten years including the turn of events untold stories and political moves that led to the formation of the MVASaamana editor and party MP Sanjay Raut had said Thackeray would respond in a prolonged interview with him in the days to come The editorial supposedly authored by Raut said that anything new in Pawarrsquos autobiography would be dealt with later on and the leaderrsquos resignation was an independent chapter not covered in the book