A clash within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) emerged as two factions, one supporting Lord Ram and the other led by Opposition NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad, engaged in a verbal spat. Awhad, addressing a gathering of party workers, claimed that “Lord Ram was a king of Bahujans and a non-vegetarian.” He asserted that Ram, being a king in the Bahujan community, hunted for food during his 14 years in the jungle, challenging the perception of him as a vegetarian.
The controversy intensified as ruling BJP MLA Ram Kadam demanded January 22, the day of the Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya, to be declared a dry day with a ban on non-vegetarian food. Awhad’s statement drew swift criticism from the BJP, accusing him of disrespecting the sentiments of millions of Ram devotees.
BJP leader Kadam questioned Awhad’s claim and challenged him to provide evidence that Lord Ram consumed non-vegetarian food. Meanwhile, NCP’s state president Sunil Tatkare responded, praising Awhad’s wisdom and avoiding further discussion on the matter.
Awhad defended his statements, asserting that he presented factual information and accused others of attempting to portray Lord Ram as a vegetarian. He highlighted that over 80% of the country’s population is non-vegetarian, and they are also devotees of Lord Ram.
In addition to the Ram controversy, Awhad criticized Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, stating that making him deputy CM in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government was a mistake. Awhad highlighted Ajit Pawar’s previous allegiance with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis in 2019 and accused him of insulting Sharad Pawar’s loyalists.
In response, Tatkare defended Ajit Pawar, asserting that his inclusion as deputy CM prevented the MVA government from collapsing. The internal rift within the NCP brings forth conflicting perspectives on religious sentiments, political decisions, and the role of key party figures.