Mumbai: NCP seems to have taken a turmeric turn ahead of the local agency poll as NCP MLA Rohit Pawar, Grand Nephew from NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar, put up the world’s highest turmeric flag in the election of Karjat-Jamkhed last month.
The large-scale flag, with a weight of 90 kilograms, was appointed above a 74-meter high pole that weighed 18 tons and had crossed six states before being installed on Jamkhed.
Political observer said the Safron flag was an attempt by the young pawar family scion not only to make efforts to experiment with soft Hindutva but also claimed Shivaji’s legacy.
Rohit told TOI that the flagpole was 74 meters high since ‘Coronation of Shivaji Maharaj occurred in 1674.
“Hindutva cannot be claimed by any party and not belonging to any political party.
The flag has traveled to 96 sacred sites in 36 districts in India .
Flag of turmeric also represent nationalism and has traveled to several religious sites across India.
Nothing political about it.
CM Uddhav Thackeray has been talking about the Neo-Hindutva, saffron flag does not belong to any particular political party, “said Rohit.
Flag called ‘Swarajya Dhwaj’ or flag of independent rules.
The flag is not only related to the Shivaji struggle for self-rules but also seen as a soft hindutva effort by NCP ahead of the local body poll.
Local historians said one of the last battle of the Maratha Confederation was fighting for in Kharda against Nizam, which Maratha had.
“Kharu in Jamkhed Taluka has historical interest.
So the flag is installed near the Shivpattan fortress here,” Rohit said.
During the 2019 poll, Rohit won the Karjat Jamkhed assembly constituency of more than 43,000 votes to beat the Minister Sitting BJP Ram Shinde.
“Rohit is now seen as a NCP youth face.
This party is expected to get from its campaign and swarajya dhwajy when each family in the interior is connected to the Swarajya and the turmeric flag,” said NCP functioner.