Bedfellows, yes. But apparently, politics also unites families of opposing parties on the playing field.
On Thursday, Rohit Pawar, grandnephew of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar, and Amit Thackeray, son of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, met in connection with a football tournament for over an hour-and-a-half in the city.
“I always try to give the appropriate platform to a lot of activities. Football is a popular sport the world over. It is also played passionately in India. We have organised a Srujan football competition in August. I met Amit Thackeray to invite him for the inaugural function since he is a known football lover. He gladly accepted,” Mr. Pawar told The Hindu.
The heads of the MNS and NCP have been meeting frequently over the past few months on political matters. Political circles are abuzz with the possibility of the MNS tying up with the NCP for the Maharashtra Assembly polls, although a final decision has not been taken. The meeting between the younger generations and aspiring politicians of both parties has also fuelled talks of both parties coming together.
Mr. Pawar has been active on the political front for more than a year amid speculation that he may contest the Assembly elections. He has been travelling with the NCP president and was seen by his side during interviews and press conferences. Mr. Thackeray too has been taking part in the political activities of the MNS in Maharashtra.
“Yes, we did discuss politics. The election results were dampening for our parties and many of our young party workers are depressed due to it. We discussed measures to raise the morale of honest, young party workers who always fight against the government’s wrongdoings. We understand their problems better. We will always back youngsters who walk the righteous path,” said Mr. Pawar. Mr. Thackeray was unavailable for comment.
Amit’s cousin and Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray too is a football lover and heads the Mumbai District Football Association. Asked whether he would be inviting to the tournament, Mr. Pawar said, he was a busy man. “We generally invite people with whom we can connect and share ideologies,” he said.
