NCP will not go with BJP though some well-wishers are trying to persuade me, says Sharad Pawar
The Hindu
Rumours swirl in Maharashtra's political circles as Sharad Pawar meets nephew Ajit Pawar. Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis unaware, NCP's Jayant Patil not informed of conversation. Shiv Sena's Raut suggests Pawar Sr. may have invited Ajit to join Opposition bloc INDIA meeting.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar on Sunday reiterated that his party will not align with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under any circumstances. The statement came after Maharashtra’s political circles began speculating about his meeting the day before with his nephew Ajit Pawar, who holds the position of the State’s Deputy Chief Minister.
Visuals of Mr. Sharad Pawar arriving at the residence of a businessman at Koregaon Park area in Pune around 1 p.m. on Saturday were aired by regional news channels here. While Pawar Sr. left by around 5 p.m., his nephew, who heads the group of rebel MLAs of the NCP, was seen leaving the premises in a car at 6.45 p.m. while apparently trying to avoid cameras.
Mr. Sharad Pawar explained that his meeting with Mr. Ajit Pawar was simply a family matter and shouldn’t be overanalysed.
“I want to tell you a fact that he is my nephew. What is wrong with meeting my nephew? If a senior person in a family desire to meet another family member, there should not be any issue with that,” he said.
Speaking at Sangola in Solapur district, the 82-year-old leader said that some “well-wishers” are trying to persuade him, but he will never align with the BJP. “As national president of NCP, I am making it clear that my party (NCP) will not go with BJP. Any association with BJP does not fit in NCP’s political policy,” he said.
“Some of us (Ajit Pawar faction) have taken a different stand. Some of our well-wishers are trying to see if there can be any change in our stand. That is why they are trying to have a cordial discussion with us,” he said.
He asserted that people of Maharashtra will hand over the reins of the State to the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
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