Shocked at language used by Maharasthra Guv in letter to CM: Sharad Pawar writes to PM Modi

The NCP supremo, whose party is an ally to the ruling Shiv Sena, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed "shock" and "surprise" at the language used by Governor Koshyari in his letter.

"It was brought to my notice through the media, a letter written by the Hon. Governor of Maharashtra to the CMOMaharashtra. In this letter the Hon. Governor has sought the intervention of the Chief Minister to open up religious places for the public," Pawar wrote in his letter to the PM.

He added: "I agree that the Hon. Governor can have his independent views and opinions on the issue. I also appreciate this effort of the Governor to convey his views via this letter, however, I am shocked and surprised to know that the letter of the Governor was released to the media and also the kind of language used in the letter which does not behove well for a person who holds a constitutional position."

On Monday in a letter to the CM, Koshyari has asked Thackeray whether he has turned "secular" as the religious places are still not allowed to reopen.

Koshyari wrote in the letter as quoted by the media, "You have been a strong votary of Hindutva. You had publicly espoused your devotion for Lord Rama by visiting Ayodhya after taking charge as Chief Minister. You had visited the Vitthal Rukmini Mandir in Pandharpur and performed the puja on Ashadhi Ekadashi."

"I wonder if you are receiving any divine premonition to keep postponing the reopening of places of worship time and again or have you turned 'secular' yourselves, a term you hated?"

Hitting back at the Governor, Thackeray said he is in no need to take a certificate of Hindutva from Koshyari.

Thackeray's Shiv Sena had in 2019 dumped BJP even after winning the state elections to later join with ideologically-different Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress to form the government.