Pune: Mahayuti Alliance Faces Strain: Tanaji Sawant’s ‘Vomit’ Remark Sparks NCP Backlash, MLA Sunil Shelke Responds

Reported By Varad Bhatkhande

Maval, 30th August 2024: Tensions have risen again within the Mahayuti alliance in Pune District. Public Health and Family Welfare Minister of Maharashtra and Shiv Sena leader Tanaji Sawant recently made a statement about the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Ajit Pawar, which is also part of the Mahayuti alliance. Sawant’s statement indicated that, even though the NCP and the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde are in alliance, they do not agree with each other’s ideas, and the alliance makes them “vomit.” Many leaders from Ajit Pawar’s NCP have started reacting to this, including Maval MLA Sunil Shelke.

This incident, along with others, has led people to speculate whether this is the end of the Mahayuti alliance, as many rifts are now openly visible. Several departures have already occurred in the Pune District, with more anticipated from the Mahayuti. With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shinde Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP all part of the alliance, open criticisms among the parties are evident across Maharashtra.

Replying to the “vomit” statement, Sunil Shelke said, “Ever since the NCP joined the Mahayuti government, it is unclear what exactly has entered Tanaji Sawant’s ‘stomach.’ In the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections, we will see who ends up sitting on whose lap.”

Tanaji Sawant’s Statement on NCP

A video of Tanaji Sawant went viral in which he said, “We are Shiv Sainiks from flesh and bone. We never agreed with the government formed with Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party. Even if we sit with our thighs touching in the cabinet with the NCP, we feel like ‘vomiting’ when we come outside. We are allergic to them. We are bound by our ethics.”