Sharad Pawar Ridiculing Rahul Gandhi May Mean Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi is Falling Soon

Today, a news item was published in the Hindustan Times (which is considered a pro-Congress Party paper), that Sharad Pawar has "brutally snubbed" Rahul Gandhi over China intrusion claim. 

The Congress party, led by its former president Rahul Gandhi, has been taking jibes at the Centre since the June 15 violent face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley. But today, Sharad Pawar said, "We can't forget what had happened in 1962 when China occupied 45,000 square kilometres of India's territory. While making these allegations, one should also look at what had happened in the past. This is an issue of national interest and once should not bring in politics here". 

The NCP chief also said the Centre cannot be blamed for the standoff at Galwan Valley.  

"Our soldiers tried to push back Chinese army men when they tried to encroach upon Indian soil. To say this is the failure of anyone or of the defence minister isn't correct. Had our army not been on alert, we wouldn't have known Chinese assertion," he said. 

"The scuffle itself means that we were vigilant else we would have been caught unaware. Hence, I don't think such allegations are fair to make," he added. Source: HT

And this is not the first time Sharad Pawar has snubbed and ridiculed Rahul Gandhi recently. On 20th of June too, Sharad Pawar spoke in a similar tone; as published in this TOI article about all-party meet called by PM Modi: 

Regional parties like TRS and BJD, as well as Congress allies like DMK and NCP, criticised the Chinese action. NCP chief Sharad Pawar, in an oblique criticism of Rahul Gandhi, said the issue of whether Indian troops were carrying arms or not was one to be decided by international agreements and was not a matter of discussion. 

The above statement made 10 days ago was a clear snub to Rahul Gandhi too. 

A political layman can think that Sharad Pawar made above statement because he is a former defense minister and hence he is speaking on matters of national security. But a leader like Sharad Paware does not "need to" assert his credentials on such matters, especially at the cost of angering his  bigger political partner Congress. 

It rather seems that Sharad Pawar is warming up to life beyond Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) govt in the state of Maharashtra. It was clear from the beginning that MVA was an uncomfortable short term "tactical" move; especially since Congress and NCP workers are bitter rivals on the ground level. It seems now the days of MVA are counted and the state will see an assembly election soon. My personal guess is that we may have an election around September or October in Maharashtra.