Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 25: A controversy has erupted following Shiv Sena MLC and legislative council deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe’s remarks at the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, where she claimed that securing plum posts in the Shiv Sena (UBT) required gifting Mercedes cars to Uddhav Thackeray.

Her statement sparked sharp reactions, with NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar slamming it as "foolish, uncalled for, and immature." Meanwhile, CM Devendra Fadnavis urged "restraint and a balanced approach" at literary gatherings.

UBT Sena MP Sanjay Raut also criticized Pawar, stating that as chairman of the literary meet’s reception committee, he could not shirk responsibility for the controversy. Pawar, however, maintained that such remarks had no place at a literary platform and called for the matter to be put to rest.

This is the second time in a fortnight that Sena (UBT) has taken a swipe at Pawar, following his decision to present the Mahadji Shinde Rashtra Gaurav Puraskar to Dy CM Eknath Shinde.

As tensions escalate, Fadnavis reiterated that literary forums should remain apolitical, urging authors and intellectuals to avoid political commentary at such events.