Rohit Pawar questions probe into Ajit Pawar crash; Ramdas Kadam seeks inquiry into Tatkare

Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Ramdas Kadam has demanded that MP Sunil Tatkare be investigated in connection with the crash involving the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Kadam's statement has caused a stir. When the media asked MLA Rohit Pawar about it, he said he had not heard Kadam's allegations, but that Kadam had brought Tatkare's name into the matter.

According to Rohit Pawar, the investigation into Ajitdada's crash is not proceeding as it should. He said those in power were doing nothing in the matter and that the probe was moving slowly. He said the people in power were not conducting a proper investigation. Rohit Pawar called it unfortunate that not even a straightforward FIR was being registered in Maharashtra. He also said, "Let Diwali pass, I will give the final presentation after that."

Rohit Pawar said he had returned from touring drought-hit areas of North Maharashtra and Western Maharashtra. He said he had come to seek the blessings of Sharad Pawar on the occasion of Diwali. He said he met Sharad Pawar at Ruby Hospital in Pune and spoke about his health.

On the merger of the Nationalist Congress parties, Rohit Pawar said he had not said a single word about it. According to him, the conversation was private and was about the drought. He said no merger was discussed and that the talk was going on only within Ajitdada's party. Rohit Pawar said only two leaders of Ajitdada's party were making political speeches and statements. He asked whether, because they are in power, some different information had reached their ears, and whether that was why they were naming names.

Rohit Pawar also reacted on the Gokul issue. He said the people in Gokul had given their mandate to Bunty Patil's panel, but unfortunately the BJP and its allies were playing unfair games. According to him, he heard some speeches today in which Mushrif was targeted. Rohit Pawar said the main person was Devendra Fadnavis, yet no one had targeted him. He said nothing would happen without fighting a big battle somewhere, and that this was not a local fight but a fight to save the Constitution in Maharashtra. He said no such thing could happen without the Chief Minister's support. He said that if someone had to be targeted, it should have been the person behind it, which was not seen in today's speeches.

Asked about going with the BJP, Rohit Pawar said clearly that if a merger benefited anyone he had no objection, but that he would not go with the BJP. He said he had been against the BJP from the start. He said that if quarrels were being stoked in society and Gujarat seemed more important than Maharashtra, he would not go with them. Rohit Pawar said that if they left the BJP and came over, he would consider it.

Commenting on Sunil Tatkare, Ramdas Kadam said, "He was Antulay saheb's PA, and it was he who finished Antulay saheb. Whoever brings Tatkare close, he works to finish that very person. I hear that he himself wanted to become Deputy Chief Minister. So did he have a hand behind Ajitdada's crash too? An investigation should be held in this direction. He has a monstrous ambition. To fulfil it, he can do anything."

Sunil Tatkare has rejected Kadam's allegations. He clarified that the allegations made against him are false. Tatkare has said he will respond at a press conference.

NCP spokesperson Umesh Patil responded to Kadam's statement. He said Ramdas Kadam had made allegations against Tatkare before as well. According to Patil, Tatkare has been working in Konkan for the past 40 years and built up the party there in the face of opposition from the Shiv Sena. He said this should therefore be seen as a local-level conflict.