In Pune/Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, strongly objected to a controversial statement made by Shiv Sena minister Tanaji Sawant. Sawant expressed feeling nauseated after sitting beside NCP members in Mahayuti. NCP's chief spokesperson, Umesh Patil, criticized Sawant's derogatory statement, stating that it could negatively impact the alliance's supporters. Patil emphasized that the NCP is not powerless and suggested that it may be better to leave the alliance than endure such insults. Sawant had previously expressed disliking for the Congress and NCP parties. In response, NCP members called for Sawant's removal from the cabinet by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. They proposed that NCP ministers boycott cabinet meetings until Sawant is ousted. The opposition urged NCP to quit Mahayuti as a matter of self-respect. Opposition leader Ambadas Danve accused the Shinde camp of betraying the original Sena and Uddhav Thackeray. Shiv Sena distanced itself from Sawant's statement, with State excise minister Shambhuraj Desai clarifying that it was Sawant's personal opinion and not reflective of Shiv Sena or Mahayuti.