Sharad Pawar

Thackeray, along with party MP Sanjay Raut, had rushed to meet Pawar after his remarks to a private TV channel that sparked off huge speculation of fissures in the MVA and its possible repercussions. Among other things, Pawar had claimed to the TV channel that Thackeray did not consult the MVA allies before quitting as the Chief Minister in June 2022, that set political tongues wagging.

Appearing to relent, Pawar on Tuesday told a private television channel that he would not "oppose" an investigation by a Joint Parliamentary Committee if his colleagues (alliance partners) felt it is necessary. "A friend's opinion could be different from mine, but we have to be united on this... I expressed my views. But if colleagues feel that a JPC probe is needed, I will not oppose it.

After Pawar's comments to a private Marathi TV channel, Shiv Sena (UBT) President Thackeray and MP Sanjay Raut rushed to meet the NCP chief at the latter's home late on Tuesday night. What transpired in the 75-minute long meeting is still not clear, though the NCP promptly released photos of Pawar, MP Supriya Sule, Thackeray and Raut, all looking cheerful and relaxed.

"I feel that instead of a JPC, a Supreme Court-appointed commission is more reliable and independent," Pawar said. Amid all these developments, taking the first step to unite the Opposition parties, Kharge recently rang leaders of various like-minded parties, including DMK's M.K. Stalin , Nitish Kumar.

The senior leader also frowned at the manner in which the names of industrialists like Ambani-Adani were being tossed around to target the BJP government at the Centre instead of bigger issues like inflation, unemployment and farmers.Clarifying his stance after the ruckus following his comments to a TV channel on Friday, Pawar said he was not opposed to the JPC probe, but if the Committee comprises 21 members, then 15 would be from the ruling side and the remaining six from the Opposition side.

Justifying his stand, Pawar said: "It is a common sense that the JPC will have more members from the ruling party (BJP) since it has an overwhelming majority in Parliament. Hence, in terms of effect, the JPC would not be a balanced panel as against the Supreme Court appointed committee which has independent experts."

The 82-year-old leader recounted how, in the past few weeks, he has been touring different parts of the state and meeting a lot of people. "The masses conveyed to me that they are desirous of a change in the state... They want the Opposition parties to unite and achieve this," Pawar told mediapersons in Pune. He also met the Congress-Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) winner Ravindra.

"I read that your mother has been admitted to the hospital and am relieved to know that she is stable and recovering. I know how close you are with your beloved mother and the special bond you share with her and understand this difficult phase in your life," said Pawar, 82.

The caller rang up from an unknown location to the Pawars' Silver Oaks home and threatened in Hindi that he would come to Mumbai and shoot him with a country-made pistol. As precaution, the NCP leader's security detail has lodged a complaint with Gamdevi Police Station which has started investigations.

It happened on Monday in Pune's Purandar taluka where the intrepid 82-year-young Nationalist Congress Party President landed for a spot assessment of the havoc in region caused by the recent rains, and later dropped in at the NCP office in the Parinche village to interact with farmers and his loyal band of party workers.