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Over the past month, speculation has grown around the possibility of the two NCP factions reuniting, especially after Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar were seen together many times
Sharad Pawar with his nephew Ajit Pawar | File Image: PTI
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday ruled out any association with groups aligned with the BJP, putting an end to speculation over joining hands with his nephew Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction.
The veteran leader further asserted that he could not join hands with someone he described as “opportunistic,” in what appeared to be a direct swipe at Ajit Pawar.
“We cannot join hands with those who have joined hands with BJP. We will take along only those who believe in the ideology of Gandhi, Shahu, Phule and Ambedkar,” Pawar told a gathering of party workers in Pimpri-Chinchwad.
His remarks came just hours before a group of about 20 former corporators from different parties, including Ajit Gavhane — who had contested the Maharashtra Assembly elections from Bhosari as an NCP (SP) candidate — were set to formally join the Ajit-led NCP faction.
“If anyone is talking about joining hands with the BJP for the sake of power, then his thought does not belong to the Congress. And therefore, party workers can establish relationships with anyone, but a relation with the BJP does not fit in with the Congress ideology. I do not want to encourage the politics of opportunism.”
Over the past month, speculation has grown around the possibility of the two NCP factions reuniting, especially after Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar were seen together at multiple events in Pune. Behind closed doors, both factions are believed to have held discussions, prompting buzz about a potential patch-up.
Sharad Pawar had even delegated the task of gauging party sentiment on a reunion to his daughter, Baramati MP Supriya Sule, asking her to consult with party MLAs, MPs, and workers.
Responding to his uncle’s latest remarks, Ajit Pawar said simply, “Everyone has the right to articulate their views.”
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Maharashtra, India, India
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