Jitendra Awhad's remarks about Lord Ram his personal opinion, says Nationalist Congress Party's Latur unit chief

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Nationalist Congress Party's Latur unit chief has said that the party leader Jitendra Awhad's statement on Lord Ram was his personal opinion and not that of the party. Awhad, who represents the Mumbra-Kalwa assembly constituency in Thane district, had kicked up a row three days ago with his remark.

"Lord Ram used to hunt and eat. He is ours, of bahujans (a term traditionally used for those not belonging to the priestly or ruling classes). You (an apparent reference to the BJP) are turning us into vegetarians, (but) we are following the example of Ram and consuming mutton," he said at an NCP conclave at Shirdi on January 3.

"It is his personal opinion and not that of the party. Awhad apologised on Thursday," said newly appointed Latur district president of the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party at a press conference.

Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party working president Supriya Sule on Sunday called the recent alleged incident of a BJP MLA slapping an on-duty cop "most disrespectful" and said she will write to Maharashtra home minister Devendra Fadnavis if no action is taken against the lawmaker.

The MP from Baramati Lok Sabha constituency in Pune district said, "I thought the BJP was a party that respected people. Are they compromising over this issue? Will they tolerate violence against their colleagues?"

BJP's Sunil Kamble, the legislator from Pune Cantonment constituency, on Friday allegedly hit an on-duty constable at the city's Sassoon General Hospital, where he had gone to attend an event. Later, a case was registered against Kamble on a complaint by the policeman.

Also read: Another FIR filed against NCP's leader for controversial remarks on Lord Ram

"I request home minister Devendra Fadnavis to act upon it and if action isn't taken, I'll write a letter to him," said Sule.

With parties gearing up for the Lok Sabha elections, Sule said she had no objection to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's remarks over seats. The Sharad Pawar group of the NCP, of which Sule is a member, and Congress are allies in Maharashtra.

Kharge had said on Saturday that the Congress was working on all the 545 Lok Sabha constituencies and had appointed observers for all the seats. However, which party would contest which seat and how many would be decided after consultations with all constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc, he had said.

"Every party wants to contest on every seat. It's democracy and everyone wants to test their strength. I do not have any objections (to what Kharge said)," said Sule. (With inputs from PTI)