The key architect of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition in Maharashtra, NCP chief Sharad Pawar turned 80 on Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the NCP chief, by tweeting, “Best wishes to @PawarSpeaks Ji on his birthday. May Almighty bless with good health and a long life.”
A former Union minister and former chief minister of Maharashtra, Pawar, amongst foremost opposition leaders, is seen as a pivot in the anti-BJP front in the country.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also wished Pawar on his birthday and in a statement said, “We hope that he continues to have the same energy and enthusiasm. We wish Sharad Pawar saheb, who is the pillar of MVA, a senior leader and guide, good health and long life.”
The National Congress Party has lined up several programs including a virtual rally to celebrate the former Union minister’s birthday amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pawar, who was Maharashtra’s chief minister four times, will also launch the party’s initiative of distributing one lakh medical kits in tribal areas on Saturday.
Pawar was instrumental in the formation of the NCP-Congress combine’s unlikely tie-up with the Shiv Sena last year, after the Sena fell out with its former ally BJP following the assembly polls.
