India, Feb. 13 -- Simmering tensions in the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) flared again on Wednesday, when the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) criticised NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, the architect of the MVA, for felicitating a "traitor".

The remark comes a day after Pawar, felicitated deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde at a public function in New Delhi, where the display of warmth between the two leaders, despite being political adversaries, was hard to miss. Both Pawar and Shinde showered praise on each other, leaving Sena (UBT) leaders furious.

Sena (UBT) MP, Sanjay Raut, called Shinde a traitor for splitting the Shiv Sena and pulling down the MVA government in 2022. He also called the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan being held in...