Sharad Pawar indulging in dirty politics over award to Purandare: Raj Thackeray

MUMBAI: MNS chief Raj Thackeray today accused NCP president Sharad Pawar of indulging in 'dirty politics' over state government's decision to confer the prestigious Maharashtra Bhushan award on historian Babasaheb Purandare.

The award ceremony is slated to be held tomorrow at Raj Bhavan here.

"Pawar had felicitated Purandare on a few occasions. Did he not think then that what Purandare has written is not right," Raj said, addressing a press conference at his residence in central Mumbai's Dadar area.

Pawar had said he respects Purandare, but he (Purandare) is not a historian.

"Pawar is indulging in dirty politics. Babasaheb Purandare is just an excuse for that. He is doing so because a brahmin (Devendra Fadnavis) has now become chief minister of Maharashtra," the MNS chief said.

"If anyone touches Purandare, I will create 'tandav' (havoc) in Maharashtra. Some people in BJP are also responsible for this controversy over the award to Purandare," he said.

He also criticised Jnanpith award-winning Marathi author Bhalchandra Nemade, who in a letter to chief minister, has opposed the state government's decision to confer the Maharashtra Bhushan award on Purandare, accusing him of making derogatory references about Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

"Nemade should learn how to behave after receiving the Jnanpith award," he said.