Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar has issued a show-cause notice to party MLA Sangram Jagtap after his recent comments urging Hindus to buy goods exclusively from Hindu-owned shops during Diwali.
Pawar clarified that Jagtap’s remarks were against the party’s ideology and stressed that such statements would not be tolerated. Speaking to the media, he said:
“This matter is against the party’s ideology, and therefore, we had to issue a show-cause notice against him. Whether you are a member or a leader of any national party, if you speak against the party’s principles, it will not be accepted. Once we receive his reply, a further decision will be taken accordingly.”
The notice is part of the NCP’s internal procedure to ensure that party members adhere to its core values and maintain communal harmony.
The controversy erupted after Jagtap’s statement at a public event, which drew criticism across political circles in Maharashtra. Senior NCP leader Shashikant Shinde criticized the state government for not acting promptly against such divisive remarks.
Speaking at a press conference, Shinde said: “Communal and caste politics are not a tradition in Maharashtra. Yet, some leaders create divides along religious and caste lines to gain political advantage. Attempts like these to target specific communities should be opposed, and the government cannot remain silent.”
