Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole calls Sharad Pawar 'remote control' of state's coalition govt

"There is no doubt that Sharad Pawar is the remote control (of the Maharashtra government). We (Congress) do not make statements against any big leader, but any outsider should look into one's own party before making statements," Nana Patole said today, NDTV quoted.

However, Patole had to temper his remarks on the senior ally, saying the alliance depended on his guidance from time to time and he was the major force in making the coalition government.

 "Sharad Pawar is the NCP chief. I am the Congress chief, so we want to strengthen our parties respectively. He is the remote control but he has a bigger role in making this MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) government. Sharad Pawar gives us guidance and therefore he is a remote control," he said.

In the last few days, Patole's comments have caused much discomfort to Shiv Sena Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) even as he made counter comments as damage control.

Patole caused ripples in the coalition with his comments that Congress will contest the next assembly polls on its own.

"The Congress is coming back in Maharashtra...have been saying it will be number one party in 2024. The result is BJP is trying to create problems in Maha Vikas Aghadi government. But the government will complete its full term," the Congress leader told reporters.

Sharad Pawar refused to react to the comment.  "I don't want to talk about minor people. If Sonia Gandhi would have said something, I would have reacted," he said.

Yesterday Patole said NCP cheated Congress in 2014 by deciding to fight the elections alone.

"The decision to contest the 2024 Maharashtra assembly election alone will be taken by the party... Like NCP took the decision in 2014, we have our own strategy," said Mr Patole.