Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar’s issuing a letter of appeal on Wednesday in the midst of the ongoing Maratha reservation stir has sparked a political slugfest.

Mr Pawar held chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and revenue minister Chandrakant Patil responsible for the anger of the Maratha youths, calling their statements “provocative” and the government’s approach to the crisis “casual”. “Mr Fadnavis should have taken immediate steps. But his statement regarding snakes during the Vithal Puja was wrong. Mr Patil’s irresponsible statements added to that. This sparked anger in a majority of the protesters,” Mr Pawar said in his letter of appeal.

Responding to Mr Pawar’s allegations, Mr Patil clarified, “I stated the truth. Few people are purposely spreading misinformation about my statement.”

“This government is trying to create a rift between the Maratha and other communities,” said state Congress chief Ashok Chavan.