"There is no resentment towards Pawar Saheb": Sanjay Raut over Rashtra Gaurav Puraskar row

Speaking to media persons, Raut said that refusing to award would be disrespectful to the person under whose name the award is given.

"There is no resentment towards Pawar Saheb. Respecting him is a matter of honour, and not awarding would be a disrespect to the person whose name the award is given. Pawar Saheb is a father figure for us." Raut said.

"When Amit Shah comes to Maharashtra and speaks against Sharad Pawar, these people don't say anything. Where did they go then?" he added.

This comes after the Mahadji Shinde Rashtra Gaurav Puraskar was presented to Eknath Shinde in New Delhi during the 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, an annual conference focused on Marathi literature, language, and culture, on Tuesday. The event was attended by senior leaders, including Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia.

During the event, Sharad Pawar and Eknath Shinde shared the stage, sparking political reactions. Shinde was also honoured with the Mahadji Shinde Rashtriya Gaurav Award on the occasion.

The Mahadji Shinde Rashtriya Gaurav Award, named after the legendary Maratha military commander, includes a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, a certificate of honour, a memento, and the traditional Shindeshahi turban.

A day earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray launched a scathing attack on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, accusing him of not only causing a split in the Shiv Sena but also harming Maharashtra's industrial growth.

Speaking to the media, Thackeray criticized Shinde for allegedly weakening the state's economic backbone and reiterated his stance against honouring him.

Thackeray said that his principles will never allow him to honour a person like Eknath Shinde.

"I will not talk about his (Sharad Pawar's) age, seniority, and principles. It is our principle never to honour a person like this (Eknath Shinde). He has not only split our party and family but also Maharashtra's industrialisation in the state. Jo Maharashtra drohi hai, woh desh drohi bhi hota hai (A betrayer of Maharashtra is also a betrayer of the nation)," Thackeray said. (ANI)