New Delhi: NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday said PM Narendra Modi has lost confidence amid "growing public demand for political change". Pawar also hit out at former Union minister Praful Patel, a member of the NCP faction headed by his nephew Ajit Pawar, for placing a 'jiretop', headgear worn by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, on PM Modi's head earlier this week, stating that it showed the former Union minister's "lachari (helplessness)".
Speaking to reporters, Pawar, who heads the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), said he had visited many places as part of his campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections and noted "a prevailing sentiment among the people for political change".
Pawar, news agency PTI reported, also suggested that conditions in Maharashtra were favourable for the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which is part of the I.N.D.I.A bloc.
Pawar also criticised PM Modi for conducting a roadshow in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area on Wednesday, saying he chose a Gujarati-dominated area for his campaign stop.
"When you are leading the nation, thinking about caste and religion is not appropriate. Conducting a roadshow in a city like Mumbai is not the right thing to do. People had to wait for hours. They suffered inconvenience due to it... Such complaints were received," the former Union minister said.
Ahead of the roadshow, Mumbai Metro rail services were suspended between Jagruti Nagar and Ghatkopar stations for security reasons. Police authorities also closed off certain adjoining roads and diverted traffic.
'There Is A Limit To Lachari': Sharad Pawar
Pawar criticised Praful Patel's act of placing the jiretop on PM Modi's head before his nomination-filing in Varanasi, which sparked a controversy and drew condemnation from the Opposition, PTI reported.
The jiretop, when presented to people, is handed over to them, and not placed on their heads, as a mark of respect for Chhatrapati Shivaji, according to an Indian Express report.
"Jiretop and Maharashtra have a history. There is a limit to 'lachari'," he said. Referring to the ruling alliance's statement that they will ensure "no such mistakes happen in the future", he added, "It is good they said that they will take care in the future."
Responding to PM Modi's characterisation of Shiv Sena (UBT) as a "fake" Shiv Sena, Pawar said "genuine Shiv Sena supporters stand with Uddhav Thackeray".
Both the Shiv Sena and the NCP have suffered splits since the last election in 2019, with the rival factions of both joining hands with the BJP.
Regarding the absence of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar from election-related events of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, including PM Modi's roadshow in Mumbai, Pawar said his nephew is genuinely unwell.