During his first Lok Sabha rally in Pune on Monday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made remarks about a ‘bhakti atma’ (wandering soul) creating problems in Maharashtra for 45 years. His comments have sparked speculation and concerns from Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Tuesday.
While addressing the rally, the Prime Minister mentioned that there is a ‘bhatakti atma’ in Maharashtra, and when it fails, it disrupts the good work of others, causing political instability in the state. Although PM Modi did not specify names, his comments have been perceived as a reference to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar and his nephew, Ajit Pawar.
Visibly irritated, Ajit Pawar told the media on Tuesday that he plans to seek clarification from PM Modi during their next meeting, asking whom the Prime Minister was referring to as the ‘bhatakti atma’ and the reasoning behind his statement.
Pawar stated, “I am not an astrologer, so I cannot say who the PM was referring to. However, during our next rally, I will ask him who this ‘bhakti atma’ he spoke about and the reason behind it.”
The Prime Minister’s comments also drew criticism from MVA leaders. State Congress President Nana Patole, NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto, and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut criticised PM Modi for his remarks.
Patole swiped at the PM, saying that the ‘bhakti atma’ could be the Prime Minister himself, who has been in campaign mode for the past decade, constantly changing clothes and participating in photo sessions.
Crasto added that it’s laughable for someone who has supposedly led India’s future astray for the last 10 years to blame others as a ‘bhatakti atma.’
Raut dismissed the remarks, suggesting that PM Modi himself might be the ‘bhakti atma’ due to his recent travels across the state.
