Ajit Pawar (second from left) at the two-day conclave of his faction of the NCP. (X)
Ajit Pawar told NCP delegates about the welfare schemes floated by the Modi govt and how the nation was making progress. He said the final round of the seat-sharing talks will be conducted after the results of the assembly elections in five states are out on Sunday
Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar, at a two-day conclave of his faction, told the approximately 400 delegates to work to get a third term for the prime minister. He also told the delegates about the welfare schemes floated by the Modi government and how the nation was making progress.
In a clear agenda for the Lok Sabha elections, Pawar said that his faction will contest from Baramati, Shirur, Raigad and Satara — all four seats which are with the NCP. Interestingly, Supriya Sule is an MP from Baramati.
“We will also be contesting from a few more seats where we have a strong hold, but were won by Shiv Sena UBT. We will discuss the seat-sharing issue in the next meeting,” he said.
Pawar also clarified that initial seat-sharing talks were held and the final round will be conducted after the results of the assembly elections in five states are out on Sunday.
ON BJP, UCC & MARATHAS
Ajit Pawar also questioned the Sharad Pawar faction who raised questions against his move to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “They criticised us for joining hands with the BJP, but Farooq Abdullah, Mamata Banerjee, Mehbooba Mufti, Mayawati, all these top leaders, some of whom are part of the INDIA alliance, have once joined hands with the BJP and enjoyed the power in the past.”
While defending his move further, Pawar said, “We had kept our distance with the BJP in the past considering they are right-wing, but now times have changed and one must think about progress.”
Pawar also told delegates that by joining hands with the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde camp), they have not changed their ideology and philosophy. “We are still carrying the legacy and values of our party.”
Pawar also supported the idea of Uniform Civil Code (UCC) floated by the BJP.
Explaining further, he said, “There are misconceptions related to the UCC. Some fear that they will lose their reservation, which not true. All parties should come on common platform and discuss this issue further and try to find the solution positively.”
Regarding the ongoing Maratha reservation issue, Pawar made his party’s stand. “Caste-based census should happen in the state, which will give a clear picture.”
