Pune/Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The NCP led by Ajit Pawar strongly criticized the controversial statement made by Shiv Sena minister Tanaji Sawant, who expressed discomfort sitting next to NCP members in Mahayuti, saying it made him feel nauseous. NCP's chief spokesperson, Umesh Patil, condemned Sawant's remarks as highly offensive and detrimental to the alliance. Patil emphasized the need to address the issue promptly to maintain the credibility of the alliance in the eyes of their supporters, suggesting that it might be preferable to withdraw from the alliance rather than endure such disrespect.

Demanding the removal of Sawant from the cabinet, NCP members called on Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to take action. Patil proposed that NCP ministers boycott cabinet meetings in protest until Sawant is removed. The opposition also seized the opportunity to challenge NCP to leave Mahayuti and uphold their self-respect.

Addressing the controversy, the leader of the opposition in the state legislative council, Ambadas Danve, accused the Shinde camp of betraying the original Sena and Uddhav Thackeray by siding with Ajit Pawar in the MVA government. The Sena distanced itself from Sawant's statement, with State Excise Minister Shambhuraj Desai clarifying that it was Sawant's personal opinion and not representative of Shiv Sena or Mahayuti.