'NCP makes me vomit': Shiv Sena minister Tanaji Sawant on sitting next to Ajit Pawar

Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena minister Tanaji Sawant has expressed his inability to tolerate being around the NCP leadership, claiming that their proximity causes him to vomit, sparking another controversy.

Speaking at a recent public event, Sawant revealed his long-standing disliking of the NCP and Congress.

"I have never got along with the NCP all my life, we sit next to each other, but when we come out, we vomit. I am a hardcore Shiv Sainik. I have never got along with Congress and NCP in my life. I have never gotten along since I was a student. This is the reality. Today, even if I sit in the cabinet with them (NCP), I vomit after coming out. I can't stand it," TOI quoted Sawant as he was speaking at a public event.


In response, NCP leaders have downplayed Sawant’s comments. NCP (Ajit Pawar) MLC Amol Mitkari made light of the situation, suggesting the health minister should understand the cause of his own ailments.

"Tanaji Sawant does not know what causes vomiting. Tanaji Sawant is the health minister, health would have something to do with it. But being in the Mahayuti, if they are vomiting, only Eknath Shinde can tell us what is causing it," said Mitkari.

This is not the first time Sawant has stirred controversy. Last year, a video went viral showing him allegedly pressuring a senior police officer in Dharashiv (Osmanabad) district to transfer a police inspector.

In the video, Sawant tells Dharashiv Superintendent of Police Atul Kulkarni that he doesn't even listen to the chief minister, implying the officer must follow his orders.

Additionally, Sawant has been outspoken about his involvement in toppling the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government earlier this year.

He admitted to participating in numerous meetings, backed by Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, to convince a faction of Shiv Sena MLAs to revolt. Sawant pointed to his exclusion from the cabinet in 2019 under Uddhav Thackeray as a catalyst for his actions, which eventually led him to form an alliance with the BJP in the Dharashiv Zilla Parishad.

(With TOI inputs)