NCP slams Uddhav Thackeray over Pawar jibe

THANE: NCP's Maharashtra working president Jitendra Awhad today hit back at Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray for his exhortation to party workers to ensure defeat of any NCP nominee, including party chief Sharad Pawar, from Shirur Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming elections.

"Uddhav Thackeray has no guts to contest elections and plays politics sitting at home. He wants to become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, which will never happen," Awhad told reporters here.

He was reacting to Uddhav's comments at a party rally in Rajguru Nagar near Pune yesterday where the Shiv Sena chief appealed to party workers to ensure defeat of any NCP candidate, including Pawar. "You must ensure that NCP nominee, even if he happens to be Sharad Pawar, loses his deposit in Shirur," Uddhav had said.

Awhad said Pawar had already clarified that he would not contest the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and instead prefer joining the Rajya Sabha. "Uddhav's comment is nothing but a mischief," he added.

"Pawar has been in politics for 50 years and has won 22 elections... Uddhav should know Pawar is a mass leader unlike him," said Awhad, who represents the Mumbra-Kalwa Assembly constituency in the district.

Awhad also dared Uddhav to contest against him in his constituency in the upcoming Assembly polls.

The Shirur Lok Sabha seat is currently represented by Shiv Sena leader Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil.