PUNE: A war of words erupted on Monday between NCP (SCP) working president Supriya Sule and the newly-inducted minister in the Modi 3.0 government, Murlidhar Mohol, following Sule’s comment that Mohol should prioritize working for Pune city rather than for private contractors. Mohol won the Pune Lok Sabha seat on a BJP ticket.
Speaking to the media, Sule remarked, “Pune now has a minister, and we are pleased about it. We only hope that the position will be used for the city’s betterment and not for the benefit of contractors.”
Mohol responded on his X handle, stating, “Given Pune’s political culture, a congratulatory message was expected from you (Sule). However, your comment reveals a narrow mindset. You, who were born with a golden spoon, cannot digest that someone like me, from a humble background, has become a minister. Regarding contractors, who has fostered them? Who are the partners of major contractors in Pune and the rest of Maharashtra? The entire state is aware.” Mohol comes from a modest family of farmers.
Taking a jab at the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, Sule also noted that it is unsurprising that his party has been excluded from central ministries. “How the BJP treats other factions of the NCP and Shiv Sena is their internal matter. Over the last 10 years of the NDA regime, I have observed closely in Parliament how they manage their allies. I am not at all surprised,” Sule said.
Sule also compared the Congress-led UPA and the BJP-led NDA, saying, “Congress always went beyond the numbers game and treated its allied partners with respect.
