Mumbai: In a huge embarrassment to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, a minister from his party claimed that Finance Ministry led by ally Ajit Pawar was not functioning properly. Sena minister Gulabrao Patil went to the extent of calling Finance Ministry as the most “nalayak” (worthless) ministry in the Shinde government, inviting rebuke from Ajit Pawar-led group.
“Finance ministry is the most nalayak (worthless) ministry. Many times, our files sent to the ministry are seent back again. I have to send my people with files,” said Gulabrao Patil, who is Minister of Water Supply and Sanitation of Maharashtra.
Patil is the second leader from the Shinde camp to make demeaning comments against Ajit Pawar’s party.
The NCP has reacted sharply to Sawant’s remarks.
“Gilubrao Patil made a speech in front of laborers where he said finance ministry is nalayak (worthless). Earlier, Tanaji Sawant made those vomiting statements. These statements are creating confusion within the MVA. They have irked NCP (AP) party cadre too,” Unmesh Patil, NCP AP leader, said.
‘I Sit Next To NCP Leaders In cabinet, But Vomit After Coming Out’
Last month, Shiv Sena minister Tanaji Sawant had stirred a huge political row with his “never got along with the NCP leadership” remarks at a public meeting. The Sena leader had also stated that merely sitting next to their leaders in the cabinet makes him “vomit”.
Shiv Sena minister Tanaji Sawant said that he is a “hardcore Shiv Saini” and that he can’t stand Congress and NCP.
“I am a hardcore Shiv Sainik. I have never got along with Congress and NCP in my life. I have never gotten along since I was a student. This is the reality. Today, even if I sit in the cabinet with them (NCP), I vomit after coming out. I can’t stand it, it is a fact,” Sawant, who is State Health Minister, said.
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At the time, his comments had led to a huge warning from the NCP. “Now, Tanaji Sawant is the fifth person making such statement. Let me again remind you that NCP is also capable of replying back, and it is not only NCP who has taken responsibility to follow alliance dharma,” Amol Mitkari, MLC from Ajit faction, said.
