Shinde, Pawar heaped praise on each other

Veteran leader Sharad Pawar on Tuesday lauded deputy CM Eknath Shinde for his adeptness in bridging political divides with a focus on the state's development, as well as his ability to steer governance with an inclusive approach. Pawar, who heads the NCP (SP) faction, felicitated Shinde with the award 'Mahadji Shinde Rashtra Gaurav Puruskar in the presence of Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, a descendant of the 18th century general. He expressed happiness that someone from his home district of Satara had become the Chief Minister.The award was conferred upon him by Sarhad, an organisation dedicated to preserving historical and cultural legacies at the 98th All India Marathi Literary Conference in New Delhi.
The NCP-SP chief heaped praise on each other.Speaking at the event, Eknath Shinde, chief of the Shiv Sena, said Pawar had never bowled him a googly and hoped he wouldn’t in the future. Pawar Saheb, who is sitting next to me, is known for his political googlies. Many don’t understand Pawar Saheb’s political googlies, he said.
Scindia recalled the contribution of Mahadji Shinde and of the Marathas in the fight against the colonial British. He believed an enemy’s enemy is your friend, and planned to corner the British with Portuguese, Algerian and French generals, he said.
According to experts, Pawar's  gesture was not taken in good spirits by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and this may lead to a possible split in the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra. Thackeray is said to be unhappy with Pawar, saying he should have avoided attending the event. The gesture was not seen in good spirits by the Shiv Sena (UBT), but the UBT leaders have not issued any public statement in this regard.