Sharad Pawar led Yashwantrao Chavan Prathisthans fooling around

Maharashtra Legislative Assembly had requested Noted artist Padmashri Late M.R. Acharekar to lend his painting for a few day, to be exhibited at Vidhan Bhavan during its Golden Jubilee celebrations in 1987-88. This priceless artifact was never returned back, but in a 'suspicious' move parcelled off to 'Yeshwantrao Chavan Prathisthan', a body headed by heavywieght Maharashtra politician and Nationalist Congress Party Chief Sharad Pawar. The concerted efforts of Acharekar's family to regain his legacy have failed to yield results and the painting still hangs on the second floor of Prathisthan's luxurious office near Mantralaya. RTI activist Anil Galgali has exposed this blatant misuse of power by Prathisthan, run by one of the most powerful politician of the country. While in Mumbai, Pawar prefers to use Prathisthans office and often hosts the activities of his party, NCP, which happens to be among the six recognised 'National Parties' of India. RTI Activist Anil Galgali traced the original papers regarding the painting available with the Maharashtra Legislature secretariat and was shocked to learn that it had no record of the painting being handed over to Pawar's Prathisthan were available with it. Apart from 31st August 1988 Legislature Librarian Anant Thorat's letter to Acharekar requesting him to lend the painting, assuring him to return the painting at the cost bourne by the legislative secretariat. On initial Inquiries, Prathisthan's secretary S.G. Kale, who is also the designated information officer for the institution, agreed to share information regarding the painting, on payment of requisite fees. He later took a U-turn, When the most pertinent question was put up by Galgali- 'How did the painting, which was lended to Maharashtra Assembly, come in possession of the Prathisthan?'. Galgali queries have since been stonewalled and Kale has written to Maharashtra Legislature and Acharekar's claimants that this is a 'third party' matter. It would have been proper that the painting would have been returned to heirs of Acharekar, with an apology. But the powerful Prathisthan prefers to keep delaying handing back of Acharekar's painting, demanding Court heirloom certificate, loss Compensation Gaurantee, Special power of attorney, official papers about ownership of the painting etc. Maharashtra Legislature ignorance towards whole issue because this issue was directly related Yashvantrao Prathisthan. They continuesly send letter to Prathisthan but never take legal or strong action against Prathisthan, Galgali express his views. Raising a shadow of reasonable doubt on the whole painting episode. Now, Prathisthan needs to clarify Whether Acharekar's painting was brought from Vidhan Bhavan with proper approval of legislative secretariat, with accompanying official paperwork? Or was it surruptiously taken away from Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan with the connivance of a few officials?, Which would then entail criminal implications. If its clear that then legislative Secretariat should lodge FIR against Yeshwantrao Chavan Prathisthan immediately and return the painting to Achrekar family with an apology, demand Galgali.