Ajit recalls uncle Sharad Pawar's contribution in steering NCP
Mumbai (PTI): NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday used the party's foundation day platform to thank his estranged uncle Sharad Pawar for leading the party since its inception in 1999, days after the NCP suffered a crushing defeat in the Lok Sabha polls.
Addressing a party function in Mumbai, Ajit Pawar reaffirmed the NCP's stance of not settling for any position lower than a Cabinet berth in the Narendra Modi 3.0 government.
"We made it clear to the BJP that we will not accept any post lower than the Cabinet portfolio. They told us that they need to give Cabinet posts to many of its constituents," he said.
In an apparent bid to dispel perceptions of NCP's disappointment over Cabinet berth allocation, he added, "We are still a part of the NDA." He also claimed the NDA current strength at 284 will cross the 300 mark in the coming months.
In the recent general elections, the NCP under Ajit Pawar managed to secure only one of the four seats it contested, while the rival faction led by Sharad Pawar won eight out of ten constituencies it contested.
Notably, Ajit's wife, Sunetra Pawar, lost to her sister-in-law and sitting MP Supriya Sule in the Pawar stronghold of Baramati.
"I wish to thank Sharad Pawar for leading the party for the last 24 years, along with those who have remained with it since its inception," Ajit Pawar said.
He claimed the Opposition tried to create a negative narrative against the NCP and the government during the elections.
Ajit Pawar split the NCP, founded by Sharad Pawar, in July 2023 as he joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra.
"I can assure everyone that our ideology is based on the teachings of Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, and Babasaheb Ambedkar," the Deputy CM asserted.
He acknowledged that party leader Sunil Tatkare preserved the NCP's image by winning the Raigad Lok Sabha seat.
Reflecting on the NCP's electoral setback, Ajit Pawar stated that internal issues need to be addressed and certain aspects require fixing.
He cited examples of TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, who leverage their influence to secure benefits for their respective states.
Commenting on the Lok Sabha election results in rural Maharashtra, he noted that the onion issue brought tears to many eyes, referring to the temporary ban on onion exports by the Central government.
"Except for Jalgaon and Raver Lok Sabha seats, NDA lost all the rural constituencies facing onion growers' anger. We need to work on such issues as well," he added.
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Tribal man brings dead sister's skeleton to bank to withdraw money from her account
Keonjhar (PTI): A tribal man in Odisha's Keonjhar district on Monday brought the skeleton of his dead sister to a bank to withdraw the money deposited in her name, police said.
The incident occurred at Maliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank located at Patana block of Keonjhar district. The man was identified as Jeetu Munda (50) of Dianali village. He was seeking to withdraw Rs 20,000 from the bank account of his elder sister, Kalra Munda (56), who died on January 26, 2026.
"I have run several times to the bank, and the people there told me to bring the account holder to withdraw money deposited in her name. Though I told them that she had died, they did not listen to me and insisted on bringing her to the bank. Therefore, out of frustration, I dug the grave and brought out her skeleton as proof of her death," an illiterate Jeetu Munda told reporters.
Patana Police Station Inspector in charge (IIC) Kiran Prasad Sahu, who reached the bank after getting information, said, "Jeetu is an illiterate tribal man. He does not know what the legal heir or nominee is. The bank officials have failed to make him understand the procedure to withdraw money from the dead person's account."
However, after the incident, the police assured Jeetu Munda that they would facilitate the withdrawal of money from the bank account of his dead sister. Later, the skeleton was again buried at the graveyard in presence of police.
Meanwhile, local Block Development Officer (BDO) Manas Dandpat said that he was not approached by anyone for the legal heir of late Kalra Munda. "Today only, I came to know about it. We will see what can be done to resolve the issue," the BDO said.
Meanwhile, bank sources said that the nominee in Kalra Munda's bank account was also dead. Therefore, Jeetu Munda was the lone claimant over the money deposited in her name.
The local administration has directed the bank officers to make arrangements and ensure that Jeetu Munda, who is the only claimant as per the rules, gets the money as soon as possible.
