Kolhapur : In a stinging attack against Raj Thackeray, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar called him a disappearing political entity who appears only once every three to four months.
According to Pawar, Thackeray accused the NCP of engaging in "caste politics" and creating divisions among people during a rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
"Raj Thackeray stays underground for three to four months and suddenly surfaces to give a lecture. This is his speciality. I don't know what does he do for months," Mr Pawar said.
In his remarks, Mr Pawar further criticized the MNS's electoral performance, saying his party is not engaged with the public. Its voting percentage is proof of that, he said.
Defending himself against the caste politics allegation, Mr Pawar said, "He spoke about the NCP and caste politics. In fact, Chhagan Bhujbal and Madhukarrao Pichad were both Leaders of the House in state Assembly of the NCP."
The NCP patriarch further defended his nephew's appointment as Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, saying that "Ajit Pawar has been a parliamentarian for over 30 years.".
In his remarks, Pawar also responded sharply to Thackeray's praise for Yogi Adityanath's leadership in Uttar Pradesh and contrasted it with Maharashtra's development initiatives.
"What happened in UP recently? Election results were different because of different reasons. But in Lakhimpur Kheri, where farmers were killed....farmers were protesting on the borders of UP, but no one came to solve their issues. Many things happened under the Yogi government and if he (Raj Thackeray) is praising that government then I don't want to say anything. Under (Chief Minister) Uddhav Thackeray's guidance this won't happen," Mr Pawar said.
A Shiv Sena led government led by Uddhav Thackeray includes the NCP and the Congress.
As for the fuel price hike, Mr Pawar criticized the central government.