Both groups of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) celebrated their 26th Foundation Day on Tuesday. Guts led by Sharad Pawar and his nephew Ajit Pawar organized separate programs in Pune. Although speculation about the merger of both groups has been going on for a long time, it seems to be a distant penny from what was seen in both the camps on the foundation day. Let us tell you that in recent times, many such occasions have come when many meetings were held in the closed rooms of Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, as well as both leaders publicly appeared on a platform, but it seems that the distance of the heart is still intact which is preventing both groups from getting closer.
If we look at the statements of the leaders of both groups, then let us tell you that in 2023, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who separated from his uncle Sharad Pawar with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), defended his decision while addressing the party supporters. Ajit Pawar said, “It is not enough to sit in the opposition and take out slogans. We are not saints. We are here to solve the problems of the people, give them direction and do inclusive politics.” Ajit Pawar dismissed the criticism that the decision to join hands with the BJP was an agreement with the ideology of the party. He said, “Some people ask us why we joined hands with BJP and Mahayuti alliance.” He argued, “Did we not join hands with Shiv Sena in 2019? There were still compromises.”
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He also said that leaders like Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh and leaders of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who are known for secular ideology, have also joined the NDA first. He said, “Our goal is clear – development and uplift of the underprivileged.” Accepting the weak performance of his group in the recent Lok Sabha elections, he stated the need for introspection and improvement. He called upon the workers to be ready for the local body elections and said that the party will start rallies across the state in the coming month and a half. He indicated that alliances may take place according to local equations and said that new faces will be welcomed in the party, but only responsibilities will be given to those who will prove themselves. He said, “Divisional politics can have short -term benefits, but inclusive politics is the only permanent route.”
At the same time, State President of Nationalist Congress Party Sunil Tatkare said that joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was a collective decision taken for ‘welfare of the people’, not Ajit Pawar’s decision alone. Sunil Tatkare said, “It was not a personal decision. The joining the NDA under the leadership of Ajit Dada was a collective decision. I have clarified on several occasions that there have been many occasions since 2014, when the party (then undivided) decided to join the alliance. We were on the verge of joining the NDA, but the decision changed at the last moment. ”He said that in 2023, the party led by Ajit Pawar decided to join the ruling coalition for the welfare of the people. Sunil Tatkare said, “We joined the NDA without compromising on the ideology of our secular ideology and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Shahu Maharaj.” He clarified that the party’s visit would continue under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
In an event organized on the 26th Foundation Day of undivided NCP, Ajit Pawar did not make a definite statement about the possibility of re -joining Nakapa (Sharadchandra Pawar) and said that such decisions are taken by the top leadership, not by party workers or junior leaders.
Meanwhile, Supriya Sule led a separate program on behalf of Sharad Pawar faction. When he was asked questions on the possible merger with Ajit Pawar faction, he avoided giving direct answers and said that family relations are still intact. He said, “Ajit Pawar and I are always together as a family. Decisions like the party’s merger should be on the table of conversation, not on camera. “At the same time, he clarified that his faction has not demanded a particular legislature session, as is being speculated recently. On the 26 -year journey of the party, Supriya Sule said that NCP has always been standing with the people of Maharashtra and the country.” Good days also come, even bad days. This is life. “At one place in Pune, at the foundation day celebrations of NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), party MP Supriya Sule avoided giving a direct answer to the question asked about the two groups coming together. Supriya Sule said,” Supriya Sule said, “For the last 15 days I have not got time to discuss party matters or meet my family for the last 15 days.”
At the same time, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) chief Sharad Pawar said that he never thought that there would be partition in the party. Pawar praised the party workers for pushing the party forward despite the challenges. He said, “…. The party had to face some challenges but you kept taking the party forward without discouraged. There was a partition in the party. We never thought that the party would be divided but it happened. “Pawar said,” Some people have been with other ideologies and this division increased. I do not want to talk about it today but those who remained loyal to the party remained because of our party’s ideology. ”He said that a different picture will be revealed in the coming elections.
He said, “Don’t pay attention to who has left or who has joined. If we remain united and committed to the common people, we will not have to face any problem. ”Pawar said that many party workers are dedicated to public service and they are the real strength of the party. He said, “Don’t worry about power. If we remain united then power will come on its own. I can look at this possibility in the state. ”Pawar said that municipal elections are going to be held in two to three months, so the party leadership will talk to representatives of NCP (SP) in every district and decide whether the election be contested independently or in the alliance. He said, “We have to work on this matter and consider how to give opportunity to the youth and also see how we can field women in the municipal corporation and local body elections, because 50 percent reservation is scheduled for them.” He said that NCP (SP) will work to prepare a new generation of party workers and leaders in the state. The senior leader said that the party will create history by bringing new leadership in the state.