Slamming MNS chief Raj Thackeray for accusing Sharad Pawar of playing caste politics in Maharashtra, Union minister and Dalit leader Ramdas Athawale said the NCP chief never played caste-based politics but always took all sections of society along. Raj Thackeray had recently accused Pawar-led NCP of playing a caste card in Maharashtra's politics.

"On the other hand, Pawar is a leader who takes Dalits and nomads along. He is known for his secular credentials in politics. It is very wrong on part of Raj Thackeray to say that Sharad Pawar is 'jatiyavadi' (casteist). I think Raj Thackeray is losing his (mental) balance," Athawale said in a press conference in Latur.