NCP youth wing chief Suraj Chavan apologises after party workers assault Chhava Sanghatna activists; Ajit Pawar summons him

Indian Express

5 days ago

Suraj Chavan, the youth wing chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), apologised Monday after his supporters thrashed activists of the Chhava Sanghatna in Latur on Sunday. In the wake of the incident, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who is the national president of NCP, has summoned Chavan to Mumbai.
Chavan said, 'Some television channels are running the news that my supporters beat up Chhava Sanghatna activists because they raised issues concerning farmers. I am the son of a farmer. If anyone is raising the farmers' plight, it is my duty to back them.'
'However, yesterday Chhava Sanghatna activists used unparliamentary language against our party leadership… I would like to apologise for yesterday's incident. I will meet the activists of Chhava Sanghatna to remove any misunderstanding between us,' he stated.
On Sunday, during NCP state chief Sunil Tatkare's press conference in Latur, Chhava Sanghatna activists sought the removal of Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate from the Cabinet. In a video, Kokate was earlier seen playing the card game Rummy inside the Maharashtra Legislative Council.
However, while protesting, the activists allegedly hurled a pack of cards at Tatkare and used objectionable words. 'They just didn't throw cards, they also used bad language against our leadership. If anyone is going to behave in this manner, we will give a befitting reply,' Chavan had said after the incident.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Tatkare said, 'I spoke for one hour at a press conference yesterday during which Chhava Sanghatna activists came to meet me and hand over a memorandum. They threw cards at me. Yet, I quietly received their memorandum and thanked them.'
Tatkare said he did not know what happened outside the press conference venue. 'But when I was apprised about it (the assault), I strongly condemned it. Whatever happened is wrong… 'The NCP will never support such an action by our members,' he said.
Tatkare added that Ajit Pawar has summoned the NCP youth wing chief. 'Chavan has left for Mumbai… I have never supported such things in my political career. At the press conference, I answered all questions relating to farmers. In a democracy, you have to listen to the people's voices,' he said.
Reacting to the assault, Pawar said on Monday, 'The incident that took place yesterday in Latur between office-bearers of the NCP and the Chhava Sanghatna is very serious, unfortunate, and condemnable. I strongly oppose any kind of violence, rude behaviour or unparliamentary language. We sincerely respect the just demands and feelings of every section of the society.'
'I would like to clearly state to all my colleagues and activists: always prioritise the values of democracy, peace, and non-violence while working in social life,' the party chief added.