Pune: In a fiery rally ahead of the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray accused Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar of deepening caste divisions in Maharashtra for political gain. Addressing supporters in Pune, Thackeray claimed that Pawar has systematically promoted caste-based politics in the state since 1999, leading to growing tension between different communities.
Thackeray argued that the state’s political landscape has been shaped by caste rivalries, allegedly orchestrated by Pawar. “Sharad Pawar introduced caste politics in Maharashtra,” he declared. “Initially, these tensions were between Brahmins and Marathas, and now the divide is expanding to include the Maratha and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities.”
According to Thackeray, caste issues are polarizing communities across the western state, undermining social unity. He appealed to voters to support candidates based on merit rather than caste, naming Chandrakant Patil and Kishor Shinde as examples of individuals whose work should be judged independently of their backgrounds.
The NCP (SP), Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party, was criticized by Thackeray as a force of “disunity and discord” in society. He contrasted the alleged divisive approach with the historical example of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, whom he praised for establishing “swarajya” by uniting people across caste lines.
The rally comes at a critical moment, with political leaders from across the spectrum amplifying rhetoric on caste and identity issues. MNS’s stance against caste-based campaigning aligns with broader concerns over social stability amid Maharashtra’s politically charged climate.
As election day approaches, the race promises to be contentious, with parties positioning themselves on sensitive issues in an attempt to appeal to a diverse voter base.
