Mumbai: The unease between allies Congress and NCP (SP) intensified on Thursday after Congress politician Vijay Wadettiwar claimed that NCP (SP) Baramati MP Supriya Sule possessed an OBC certificate, like several other Maratha politicians, for reservation benefits. Sule reacted sharply to the claim and demanded an apology, prompting Wadettiwar to express regret for mentioning her name.Wadettiwar also indicated that the Congress would welcome NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar if he decided to join the party, describing him as a progressive leader.Recently, there was speculation about the growing proximity of the NCP (SP) to the ruling BJP, resulting in both Congress and NCP (SP) closely monitoring the statements of each other’s senior politicians.A prominent OBC politician, Wadettiwar made his claim about Sule possessing a Kunbi certificate when he was speaking to the media about Maratha activist Manoj Jarange’s demand for reservation for eligible Kunbi Marathas under the OBC category.Sule refuted Wadettiwar’s claim. “I challenge Wadettiwar to give proof to support his claim that I hold a Kunbi certificate or tender an apology,” she said.After Sule extended the challenge, Wadettiwar expressed regret. “While articulating my stance on the OBC certificate issue, there was an inadvertent mention of MP Supriya Sule’s name. There was no intention to make any allegation against her,” he said.NCP (SP) state chief Shashikant Shinde warned Wadettiwar against making irresponsible and false remarks about a senior party politician. Shinde said his party would respond similarly to its alliance partner if the statement was found to have been made intentionally.Wadettiwar said his position on Maratha politicians obtaining OBC certificates had not changed. “On the one hand, some are enjoying power with the help of OBC certificates, while on the other hand, they are attacking the rights of the OBC community and stabbing the OBCs in the back. I will never support such a stance,” he said.
