Ajit Pawar says he joined the ruling government as ‘development works do not get done by sitting in Opposition’
The Hindu
NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said he left the Opposition MVA to join the ruling ‘Mahayuti’ of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena-BJP coalition as he saw no alternative to PM Modi’s leadership
Development works did not get done by sitting in the Opposition, said Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on August 7, adding that he left the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to join the ruling ‘Mahayuti’ of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena-BJP coalition as he saw no alternative to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in the country today.
“Today, at the national level, I do not see any other alternative to Narendra Modi’s leadership. Hence, I have taken this decision [to align with the ruling government] to get works done at the local and State level. Some may criticise me for it, but I am not affected,” Mr. Pawar said, speaking in Pune.
The rebel NCP leader, who split the party led by his uncle Sharad Pawar to join the ruling government in July, later shared the stage with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at a government programme in Jejuri in Pune’s Purandar taluk.
“There are many questions and issues facing the State today. In my long political career, I have come to know that ultimately, works do not get done by sitting in the Opposition,” Mr. Ajit Pawar said, lauding Mr. Modi’s vision during the BJP-led Centre’s nine year-rule.
“I have no doubt that Maharashtra’s car is speeding towards progress as it now has the firm support of the Central government. Works to the tune of ₹80,000 crore are currently on in the State,” Mr. Ajit Pawar said.
He also praised Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was present in Pune over the weekend, for his “courageous decisions”, which he said had not been taken for past 20-22 years.
“We as farmers should accept the fact that the decisions which were pending have been taken by Amit Shah-ji [also the Union Cooperation Minister] under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi,” Mr. Ajit Pawar said.
While residents are worried over deaths due to diarrhoea in Vijayawada, officials still grapple to find the root cause. Contaminated drinking water supplied by VMC officials is the reason, insist people in the affected areas, but officials insist that efforts are on to identify the disease and that those with symptoms other than diarrhoea too are visiting the health camps.