Mess With Anyone But Me, Says Sharad Pawar; Asks Voters to Defeat Ajit's Faction in 'Big' Way

Pune: NCP (SP) supremo Shar Pawar has cautioned his detractors that y should mess with anyone but him and appealed to voters to not just defeat those who rebelled under Ajit Pawar, but "defeat m big" in Maharashtra assembly polls.

dressing a rally at Mha in Solapur district on Sunday ahe of November 20 state polls, Shar Pawar recounted an episode of defection that led to him losing post of leer of opposition in assembly almost five deces ago and his resolve that led to defeat of all those who h backstabbed him.

"In elections of 1980, 58 persons won polls from our party and I became leer of opposition. I h gone abro and when I came back I realised Chief Minister AR Antulay saheb h done some miracle and 52 of 58 MLAs h switched sides. I lost post of LoP," he said.

"I did nothing (at time). I just started reaching out to people across state and worked hard for three years. In next elections, I fielded young candidates against all 52 MLAs who h left me. I am proud of people of Maharashtra that all 52 who left me were defeated," he told garing.

83-year-old former Union minister emphasised his status as an undefeated politician since he became an MLA in 1967 at age of 27 and said, "I have my own experiences." " people who betrayed should be shown ir place. Don't just defeat m, defeat m big," former state chief minister said.

When NCP (SP) chief said a message should be sent across that one can mess with anyone but and took a pause, crowd roared back chanting his name.

Nationalist Congress Party founded by Shar Pawar split in July last year after his nephew Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs joined Eknath Shinde-led government.

Following a decision by Election Commission, Ajit Pawar got party name and 'clock' symbol, while faction he by octogenarian politician was named NCP (Sharchandra Pawar) with 'man blowing tutari' as its symbol.

NCP (SP) has fielded Yugendra Pawar, Shar Pawar's grandnephew, to take on NCP leer and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in Baramati assembly seat.

Ajit Pawar has been MLA from Baramati since 1991.

In Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year, Ajit Pawar fielded his wife Sunetra Pawar from Baramati parliamentary constituency against sitting MP Supriya Sule, daughter of Shar Pawar.

Sule defeated Sunetra Pawar comfortably and since n Ajit Pawar has often said fielding his wife against his cousin was a mistake. 

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