Published: Nov 4, 2025 | Mumbai

NCP (Sharad Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday criticised Maharashtra minister and senior BJP leader Ashish Shelar for alleging that Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray were indulging in “appeasement politics.” Pawar said such statements from those in power could deepen social divisions and harm communal harmony.

“Everyone should ensure that social unity prevails, and those who are in power have more responsibility towards this,” Pawar told reporters in Baramati.
“If a senior minister in the state government makes remarks that can create religious or caste divides, it is not good for the state,” he added.

Shelar had accused Uddhav and Raj Thackeray of “appeasement politics”, claiming that the two were highlighting alleged duplication of Hindu voter names while ignoring similar irregularities among Muslim voters.

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Calls for Farmer Relief

During his interaction with the media, Pawar also turned attention to the plight of farmers affected by heavy rains and floods in August and September.

He urged the state government to provide immediate financial assistance to those impacted and criticised the disbursal of what he termed “paltry amounts” under farm insurance claims.

“The priority of the government should be to help farmers and make them stand again. Farmers have taken farm insurance, and they should get proper relief,” he said.

Pawar noted that the Union Agriculture Minister had acknowledged the issue and initiated an inquiry but stressed that “the focus must remain on helping farmers in crisis.”

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