Shiv Sena has lost self-respect: Sharad Pawar

MUMBAI: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has slammed Shiv Sena and termed it as a party lacking any self respect. Pawar, who was in Mumbai on Wednesday, lambasted Sena for seeking state BJP ministers' resignations if they were not happy with Sena's tough stand against Pakistani artistes and nationals.

"When the current BJP government in the state was being formed, they (Sena) wanted the post of the Opposition leader. Then they became its ally. The government is that of the BJP and Sena wants the BJP to quit! They should introspect," said Pawar.

He further rubbed it in by saying that he doesn't think there would be mid-term elections in Maharashtra as Sena has lost all self respect. "I used to think that some people have a lot of self respect. When I made the prediction earlier about mid-term polls, I thought that Sena would pull out. Now, I don't think so," said Pawar. He further added, "When Bal Thackeray was alive, he used to do what he said. Now things have changed. They (Sena, BJP) will abuse each other but will stay together."

He was also stinging in his criticism of the BJP , saying that at a time when farmers are suffering from a severe drought, the ruling allies are bickering all the time. "Everyone should be working together to provide relief to the farmers. Right now, they are trying to destabilise the government. If they want elections (now), then they should announce it," said the NCP chief.

When asked why even NCP leaders along with Uddhav were not invited to the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Ambedkar memorial, without missing a chance to take a potshot at Sena, he said, "They (BJP) must have thought that all these people were not important enough."

Pawar also taunted Prime Minister Narendra Modi by saying that his pre-election slogan of 'Acche din' was not working for the people. Referring to the sky-high prices of Tur dal, Pawar said, "I just got a message on my phone from someone demanding that he be given back his earlier 'Bure din'."