Mumbai, Jan 9 (Reporter) NCP (Sharad Pawar Group) National President Sharad Pawar said on Tuesday that the Supreme Court verdict in the Bilkis Bano case has brought relief to the common man. Interacting with newspersons at the party's regional office in Mumbai, he welcomed the court verdict and said it was the Gujarat government's decision to pardon the guilty in the Bilkis Bano case. The decision has been annulled by the Supreme Court. Pawar said, "The Supreme Court, in its verdict, has said that this right belongs to the Maharashtra government. That is, it is clear that the Gujarat government has encroached on the authority of the Maharashtra government." Pawar appealed to the Maharashtra government to take the matter seriously and not allow political interference in it. He said his faction of the NCP, Congress, and Shiv Sena will hold a meeting to discuss how they can work together for the Maharashtra assembly elections. "On behalf of the NCP, National General Secretary Jitendra Awhad will be present, and for that, I have advised Awhad to take a stand in the interests of the party," he said. This will be the initial meeting, and further meetings will be held, said Pawar Senior leaders of all parties will also attend the upcoming meetings to take decisions accordingly. Talking about the present raids in the country, Pawar said, "Until the central government changes, such raids will continue. Action will be taken against the opposition party leaders. The same is happening with respect to MLA Rohit Pawar and MLA Ravindra Waikar. Similar action has been taken against many leaders of MVA in the past, and it seems that no action is being taken against the ruling party." He also alleged that his nephew Ajit Pawar, who triggered a revolt in the NCP and joined the Mahayuti government in the state and and the leaders who went with him have done so due to the pressure of the central investigation agencies. "Ajit Pawar and those who made him take such a stand will not be allowed back in the party. I have explained my position in this regard," he added...////...