Amid war of words with NCP, BJP says ‘We expect allies to respect Savarkar’

NCP chief Ajit Pawar (lefT) and BJP Mumbai unit president Ashish Shelar (Facebook).

In another instance of growing differences between the ruling Mahayuti allies BJP and NCP amid the civic polls, the BJP on Tuesday said that its alliance partners should show reverence to Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar.

Cabinet Minister and BJP leader Ashish Shelar said, “The BJP has always held V D Savarkar in the highest esteem. It wholeheartedly endorses the life and works of Savarkar. And we expect those who align with us to show the same respect towards Hindu ideologues.”

In a veiled attack at Deputy CM Ajit Pawar-led NCP, he said, “If you come with us, we will work together. If you don’t, we will still continue our work. If you oppose us, we will also oppose you. But our work will go on.”

Echoing similar sentiments, state BJP president Ravindra Chavan said, “We have always subscribed to Veer Savarkar’s ideology. We have the highest reverence for the freedom fighter and Hindu ideologue. We expect those who join us to show the same reverence towards Savarkar.” Responding to Shelar’s remarks, NCP leader Amol Mitkari wondered how BJP can enforce its ideology on others in a coalition government.

Stating that the NCP is “committed to Shiv-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar ideology,” Mitkari posted on X, “ Even if we don’t accept the ideology which BJP wants us to do, it is a fact that BJP will have to accept our party’s Ambedkarite ideology, even if it is unwillingly.”

Another senior NCP minister requesting anonymity said, “ I wonder why BJP is thrusting Savarkar ideology on us. Post 2019 Assembly elections, when Devendra Fadnavis took early morning oath along with Ajit Pawar as deputy chief minister forming BJP-NCP alliance, where was their ideology? Again in July 2022, when Ajit Pawar-led NCP joined the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition, nobody in the BJP raised questions on ideology. They welcomed NCP with open arms. Post 2024 Assembly elections too, we formed the government in Maharashtra and pledged support to NDA at the Centre. Why did nobody raise the ideology issue, then?”

Both BJP and NCP have been engaged in a ward of words after Ajit Pawar-led party united with Sharad Pawar’s NCP(SP) for the civic polls.

The NCP-NCP(SP) alliance will take on BJP in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations in Western Maharashtra.

On its part, the BJP distanced itself from NCP in Brihanmumbai Municipal Council polls citing the party’s Mumbai poll incharge Nawab Malik’s alleged involvement in a case linked to Dawood Ibrahim gang.

Instead, BJP formed alliance with Shiv Sena led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde in 14 out of 29 municipal corporations including Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali ect. Last week, during a poll campaign, Ajit Pawar had termed BJP a “corrupt party”. The deputy CM also attacked the BJP saying, “I was accused of involved in Rs 70,000 cr irrigation scam. But has anything been proved? Look, today I am sitting next to those very people and sharing power in Maharashtra.”