Wrong if Sharad Pawar's security has been withdrawn: Thorat

Pune, Jan 24 (PTI) Maharashtra revenue minister and state Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat on Friday hit out at the Centre for reportedly withdrawing the security of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar.

The NCP, earlier in the day, accused the Central government of withdrawing Pawar's security at his official residence in New Delhi. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here, Thorat said, "Pawar is among the senior national leaders in the country and it is the duty of the government to protect and take due care of such leaders."

"If his security is being withdrawn in such a manner, then it is really wrong," he added. Thorat also attacked the BJP over the phone tapping row, adding that the ruling party at the Centre was making efforts to jeopardise the basic principles of the Constitution and snooping in this manner was one of them.

Accusing the previous BJP-led Maharashtra government of tapping phones of senior NCP and Congress leaders during the 2019 Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Friday said he has ordered a probe into the matter.

"Looking at the functioning of the BJP at the Central level in the last five years, the contraction of freedom of speech is underway. There is an overall feeling of whether they will allow this democracy to exist? What will happen to the Constitution," Thorat questioned.

Queried on MNS chief Raj Thackeray's speech at the latter's party convention in Mumbai on Thursday and whether it signaled a political realignment in the state, Thorat said his (anti-BJP) speeches during the Lok Sabha polls were very popular.

"He had put forth all issues in an effective way. It was felt that he was taking care to safeguard democracy. Today as well, we have the same expectation from him," Thorat said.

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