States » WestPosted at: Nov 13 2026 7:45PM


Maha: BJP leader Navnath Ban targets Sanjay Raut over remarks on Ajit Pawar

Mumbai, Nov 13 (UNI) Maharashtra BJP chief spokesperson Navnath Ban today criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut for raising questions over the death of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and said he should instead clarify the status of the Disha Salian and Sushant Singh Rajput death cases.
Ban said that Raut had no right to raise questions about Ajit Pawar's family in connection with the aircraft accident. He claimed that Ajit Pawar had consistently favoured an alliance with the BJP since 2019 and had never intended to join the Maha Vikas Aghadi. He also referred to the early morning swearing-in ceremony involving Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis.
"Ajit Pawar's political position was different from that of Sanjay Raut, who is now supporting Rahul Gandhi out of political compulsions," Ban said, alleging that Raut was making inappropriate remarks about Pawar despite his death.
Responding to Raut's comments on NCP founder Sharad Pawar's possible political alignment with the NDA or BJP, Ban said the decision rested entirely with Sharad Pawar and that Raut had no authority to decide on his behalf.
He also challenged Raut to clarify the future political direction of the Shiv Sena (UBT), asking whether Uddhav Thackeray intended to align with the Congress, Samajwadi Party or AIMIM.
Commenting on the alleged attack on the residence of Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsat in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the BJP leader condemned the incident and said the police would conduct a thorough investigation to identify those responsible and establish the motive behind the attack. He said such acts of violence would not be tolerated in a state governed by the rule of law.
Taking a swipe at Raut, Ban said those associated with the alleged planting of explosives outside an industrialist's residence in Mumbai and the alleged Rs 100-crore monthly collection target given to police officials should refrain from commenting on the law and order situation.
On Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray's remarks linking Chhath Puja with Uttar Pradesh elections, Ban said the festival was primarily celebrated by people from Bihar and not Uttar Pradesh. He alleged that Raj Thackeray and the MNS were viewing the festival
through a political lens and unnecessarily linking it to electoral politics.
Ban said Chhath Puja was a Hindu festival celebrated on a large scale by people from Bihar living in Maharashtra and should not be given a political or electoral colour. He also asked Maharashtra Congress leaders, including state Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal, to clarify the party's stand on the festival and whether Rahul Gandhi opposed its celebrations. UNI SP SS
Tags: #Maha: BJP leader Navnath Ban targets Sanjay Raut over remarks on Ajit Pawar
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