"Started Era Of Political Instability": PM's Veiled Dig At Sharad Pawar

Pune: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday trained his guns on NCP leader Sharad Pawar, and blamed “wandering souls” for ushering in an era of political instability in Maharashtra 45 years ago. Though he did not name Sharad Pawar, it was apparent that the reference was to the Maratha politician’s rebellion against then Chief Minister Vasantdada Patil in 1978. Sharad Pawar, with backing of 40 MLAs, had then formed the Progressive Democratic Front, leading to the collapse of the Patil-led dispensation, and was at 38 sworn in as the Chief Ministe on July 18, 1978. “Some wandering souls started the era of political instability in Maharashtra 45 years ago,” PM Modi said. “A big leader, for his personal ambition, began this game,” he added.