"Bhatkati Atma has unsettled govts for years...": PM Modi's veiled dig at Sharad Pawar

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], April 29 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a veiled dig at Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar saying that Maharashtra has been a victim of a "Bhatkati Atma" for a long time which has led to political uncertainty in the state as well as has created a split in his party and his own family.
"Bhatkati Atma has unsettled govts for years in Mahrashtra (There are some wandering souls whose wishes do not get fulfilled) They even derive pleasure from others' failures. Maharashtra has become a prey to such a wandering soul. 45 years ago a big leader from here started this game for his satisfaction. And from then on, Maharashtra transitioned into a phase of uncertainty," the Prime Minister said addressing a public meeting at Pune on Monday.
PM Modi was seen wearing a red-hued Maharashtrian-style headgear with golden handwork on it at the public meeting.
In a reference to the recent split among the ranks of the NCP, PM Modi said that this "Bhatkati Atma" even has the potential to split his own party as well as his family.
"Several Chief Ministers could not fulfil their term. This (soul) did not only create difficulties for the opposition, this soul has the potential to do anything. It does the same thing in his own party, even his own family," the Prime Minister said.
Ajit Pawar, who led the split in the NCP and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena government in the state, is Sharad Pawar's nephew.
Referring to political manoeuvres spearheaded by the NCP founder in 1995 and recently in 2019, PM Modi said, "In 1995 when the BJP-Shiv Sena formed the government, this soul started creating unrest in that government. In 2019, they insulted the electoral result. This is known to everyone in Maharashtra."
In 2019, Sharad Pawar came forward to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi with the Shiv Sena, Congress and his NCP, to keep the BJP out of power in the state. The BJP was earlier in a pre-poll alliance with the Senas in 2019. Reportedly, the BJP and the Shiv Sena (united) parted ways following disagreements over the Chief Minister's position after emerging victorious in the 2019 Assembly polls.
Hitting out at the opposition INDIA bloc, PM Modi said that the "Bhatkati Atma" does not only intend to create "unrest" in Maharashtra but also across the country.
"Today, they are not only restricted to creating unrest in Maharashtra, it is playing a game to create unrest in the country. Today India should be saved from such a wandering soul and bring about a stable strong government," the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi however cautioned that no one should take anything personally before launching his attack against the veteran politician through an analogy.
Asking the people of Maharashtra to vote for the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the state, PM Modi said that the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP government should offer a driving engine to the idea of Viksit Bharat.
"I would like Mahayuti government to move forward in such strength so that they can bridge all gaps in the last 25-30 years and give a driving engine to the idea of Viksit Bharat, under the leadership of Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar," PM Modi said.
Maharashtra will be polling in 11 seats in the third phase on May 7. Out of 48 seats, voting in 13 seats has been completed in the first and second phases.