Prime Minister’s ‘Bhatakati Atma’ remark did damage: Ajit Pawar
Nashik: The Maha Yuti received a big setback in the Lok Sabha elections in the State. The NCP (AP) bagged a lone seat while the NCP (SP) scored eight out of 10.
Parties are now preparing for the State Assembly elections. The NCP (AP) has launched its Jansanman Yatra from Nashik district. In a meeting during the Yatra, Ajit Pawar on Saturday made an important statement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Sharad Pawar a ‘Bhatakti Atma’ (a ghost) during the Lok Sabha election campaign. The PM was criticised for using such language against a senior leader. It also reflected in the outcome of the Lok Sabha election.
Ajit Pawar has now commented on this. He said, “I requested PM Modi not to criticise Sharad Pawar at the poll rally in Pune. However, the PM called him a ‘Bhatakati Atma’. This dealt a big blow to the NCP (AP).”
The election rally was held for the Pune, Baramati, Maval and Shirur Lok Sabha constituencies. Modi addressed the public meeting. During the rally, CM Eknath Shinde rose to speak when Ajit Pawar approached Modi and was seen saying something to him. During this interaction, Ajit Pawar told Modi that ‘many people from Pune and the surrounding Lok Sabha constituencies respect Sharad Pawar. Therefore, please, do not criticise him’.
Political pundits observe that PM Modi’s adverse remark against Sharad Pawar cost Maha Yuti dearly in many constituencies. PM Modi said, “Some ‘Bhatakati Atma’ in Maharashtra heralded the era of instability in the State’s politics for their personal ambitions 45 years ago.” Modi was indirectly referring to the rebellion Pawar staged against the then Vasantdada Patil-led government in 1978.
The PM added: “When the Shiv Sena-BJP government came to power in 1995, this ‘Bhatakati Atma’ tried to destabilise that government too. Now, he is trying to destabilise the country. You need to protect Maharashtra from the ‘Bhatakati Atma’.”
