In a noteworthy encounter, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath, met with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray at his residence, Matoshree, in Mumbai on Monday. This meeting follows Swami Avimukteshwaranand's earlier decision to decline the invitation to the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, highlighting his current focus on addressing betrayal.
"Uddhav Thackeray has been betrayed and many people are anguished by it. I met him today as per his request and told him that people's pain won't subside till he becomes the chief minister again," Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati told reporters after their meeting in Bandra.
In a video posted online, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati elaborated on their conversation, stating, "He (Uddhav) said he would do whatever was needed as per our blessings." The Shankaracharya emphasized the gravity of betrayal, declaring, "Betrayal is the biggest sin. The one who betrays can't be a Hindu. The one who tolerates betrayal is a Hindu."
Reflecting on the recent Lok Sabha elections, he added, "The entire populace of Maharashtra is anguished by the betrayal and this was reflected in the recent elections." He clarified that while they are not politically inclined, addressing betrayal is a matter of religious and moral concern. The Shankaracharya also participated in a puja ceremony at Matoshree.
Chhagan Bhujbal's Meeting with Sharad Pawar Backs Shiv Sena (UBT)
On the same day, Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal met with NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar at his Silver Oak residence in Mumbai. This meeting came a day after Bhujbal made a veiled criticism regarding the opposition's boycott of an all-party meeting on the Maratha quota issue. Bhujbal, associated with the NCP faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has yet to disclose the reason for his visit to Sharad Pawar.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), including the Congress, NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT), abstained from the all-party meeting convened by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on July 9, citing a lack of consultation on the Maratha reservation issue. Bhujbal claimed that opposition leaders stayed away from the meeting "after a phone call from Baramati at 5 pm" on July 9. Baramati is known to be a stronghold of the 83-year-old Sharad Pawar.
Sources within the NCP indicated that Bhujbal felt marginalized within the party, despite his association with Ajit Pawar's faction. "It is unjust to scrutinize every interaction between two leaders and draw premature conclusions," Bhujbal commented on the meeting.
NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad defended the interaction, stating, "It is a reflection of Sharad Pawar's generosity that he allocates time to individuals who hold contrasting views, even within the public domain." He added, "I am not concerned about the internal affairs of Bhujbal's party. Let the meeting take place if he desires to meet Pawar and he has granted him an audience."
