NCP leader Sunil Tatkare on Saturday hosted a lunch for Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence Geetabag in Sutarwadi in Raigad district.
The luncheon meeting assumes significance over dispute between Shiv Sena and NCP over the Guardian Minister’s post in Raigad district. However, NCP downplayed the dispute saying all was well within Mahayuti.
On Saturday, Shah went to Raigad district where he paid tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his 345th death anniversary. Later, he went to Tatkare’s residence for lunch. Shah was accompanied by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.
Speaking to media persons, Ajit Pawar said, “There are no differences within Mahayuti.” When asked about talks of Shiv Sena being upset with NCP over fund allocation or the Guardian Minister’s post in Raigad, Pawar said, “These are all speculations. I was with Amit Shah throughout the day and he never mentioned these to me. Moreover, Shinde was also there. Every week CM Fadnavis, Shinde and I meet. If there are issues, we know how to address them.”
Tatkare said, “Since Shah was in Raigad district, I invited him for lunch. There was no political agenda.”
Insiders indicated that there is possibility that Shah may have urged all three leaders to work together and set off coalition issues amicably.
However, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat said, “Even if Shah had lunch at the NCP minister’s home, our claim on Raigad’s guardianship remains.”
In January this year, the government brought out a Guardian Ministers list for all 36 districts. The Shiv Sena, led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, took serious objection over NCP claiming its right over Raigad and Nashik districts.
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In Raigad district, NCP minister Aditi Tatkare, daughter of Sunil Tatkare, is the Guardian Minister. BJP leader Girish Mahajan is the Guardian Minister of Nashik district.
However, within 24 hours of the announcement of the list, Shinde made his disappointment public, leading Fadnavis to stay the decision on the Guardian Ministers’ post in these two districts. The issue has remained unresolved since then.
Sena minister Bharat Gogawle has sought the Guardian Minister’s post in Raigad while in Nashik, Dadasaheb Bhube from the Shiv Sena has staked claim.
Later on Saturday evening, Shah attended the 75th anniversary of a Gujarati weekly magazine at Vile Parle in Mumbai, where he lauded the role of the magazine in reaching out to people and sustaining its credibility and connect for several decades. He then visited Sahayadri guest house at Malabar Hills where he held talks with BJP leaders.