NCP chief Sharad Pawar with the party workers on his 75th birthday in Mumbai. (PTI Photo)
Estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray shared the stage at Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar's 75th birthday celebrations in Mumbai on Saturday. Both of them came together at an event for the first time since Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray's 2nd death anniversary in 2014.
Speaking at the event, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray said, "Whenever something happens across the country, people ask if Pawar is behind it? Good or bad, people still ask if he is behind it. This man has an invisible aura of power. Things don't move till he touches them."
Gesturing towards Uddhav Thackeray who arrived soon after him, Raj Thackeray said, "Here comes my brother. We have perfect timing," leading to an applause from the crowd.
Adding to the praise for Mr Pawar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said, "The best thing about him is his tenacity. I don't know for how long he sleeps. I don't know if he sleeps at all. But one thing is clear. He gives his friends and rivals sleepless nights."
Politicians across party lines including former Union Home Minister Sushil Shinde, Maharashtra Congress President Ashok Chavan, Maharashtra Cabinet Ministers Sudhir Munghantiwar, Eknath Khadse and Girish Mahajan and industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Rahul Bajaj were present at the event and praised NCP chief.
"I have seen Sharad Pawarji being a real-time leader who has never lost touch with the grassroots," said Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani.
Chairman of Bajaj Group Rahul Bajaj said, "Sharad Pawar is India's best Prime Minister we unfortunately never had. Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister have spoken about his networking skills. He can get the support of 750 MPs. He should be the next President of India."
Actor Nana Patekar said "People are saying such nice things about you. It looks like you are a confessions box and the others are complainants."
Thanking his well-wishers at the event, Mr Pawar said everyone should contribute to nation building. "I have seen many ups and downs in life... In the end, it is democracy that matters. One should work toward strengthening it and ensuring that its sanctity endures," he said.