On his 100th day in Maharashtra government, Ajit Pawar proclaims himself as national president of NCP
The Hindu
Mr. Ajit Pawar, who became Deputy CM for the fifth time, set a record for the largest number of appointments to this position since it was created in 1978, by joining hands with the NDA on July 2. On Tuesday, he marked his 100th day in office.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, leading the rebel faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), on October 10 asserted himself as national president of the party founded by his uncle Sharad Pawar.
He defended his decision to join the Maharashtra government led by Shiv Sena leader and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis, citing several examples of prominent politicians who took a “different stand” in the State’s political history.
Mr. Ajit Pawar, who became Deputy CM for the fifth time, set a record for the largest number of appointments to this position since it was created in 1978, by joining hands with the National Democratic Alliance on July 2. On Tuesday, he marked his 100th day in office.
On the occasion, the 64-year-old Baramati legislator said that his government was committed to the economic empowerment of all sections of the society, and added that the party would work vigorously to achieve the goal.
“Employment, economic empowerment of all sections of the society, education, health, implementation of all welfare measures are the priority of the government. Even our party is committed to achieving these goals by using the medium of power. Criticism is part and parcel of any politician’s life. I always take cognisance of constructive criticism and believe in positive and developmental politics. Taking any work to .its logical end and bringing positive change in the lives of people is what I believe in,” he said.
Mr. Ajit Pawar also highlighted the NCP’s alignment with the ideals of historical figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Shahu Maharaj, B.R. Ambedkar, and Yashwantao Chavan. “Under my leadership, the party will continue this legacy,” he said.
He acknowledged that Maharashtra’s political history has seen prominent leaders take diverse political stances based on the prevailing situation and said that the party, under his leadership, adopted a similar position by joining the State government. “In the political history of Maharashtra, several top leaders have taken a different political stand. Every political leader takes a stand depending on the prevailing political and social situation” he said.