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Tag: Sharad Pawar

  • Religious colour being given to small incidents in Maharashtra: Sharad Pawar

    By PTI

    AURANGABAD: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday claimed that small incidents in Maharashtra were being given a “religious colour”, which was not a good sign.

    He also claimed that there is currently an “anti-BJP” wave and people of the country want a change considering results of the recent Assembly polls in Karnataka.

    If this mindset of people continues, the country will witness a change in the forthcoming elections, Pawar said at a press meet here.

    The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced defeat in the recently held Assembly elections in Karnataka, where the Congress came back to power after a gap of five years.

    The Lok Sabha elections are due in 2024, and the Maharashtra Assembly polls are also due in the later part of next year.

    Pawar said, “Looking at the scenario, I think there is an anti-BJP wave going on. Considering the Karnataka election results, people are in the mood for a change. If this mentality of people continues, there will be a change in the country in the forthcoming elections. There is no need of any astrologer to tell this.”

    Asked about the possibility that the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly polls may be held simultaneously, the NCP chief said many people from his party and allies are also of the same view.

    “But, I don’t think so. Considering the results of the Karnataka Assembly polls, I don’t think rulers of the country will fall into a mess of conducting the state Assembly elections along with the Lok Sabha polls. They will only focus on the Lok Sabha polls,” Pawar said.

    On the ‘Telangana model’ (of giving financial assistance to farmers) being promoted in Maharashtra, Pawar said, “The Telangana model has to be checked. But, Telangana is a small state and announcing such an aid in a small state can be done. But, I feel more funds should be spent on infrastructure works (related to farming).”

    Asked about the law and order situation and some incidents of violence in Maharashtra in the recent past, Pawar claimed “religious colour” was being given to some small issues in the state.

    “The rulers are responsible to establish law and order in the state. If the ruling parties and their people come out on roads over it and create a rift between two religions, then it is not a good sign,” he said.

    If a poster (of some person) is shown in Aurangabad, why there is a need for violence in Pune. But it is being made to happen, he claimed.

    “Recently we heard about Ahmednagar. Today, I saw a news from Kolhapur. People came out on roads, and giving religious colour to a small incident of sending message over phone is not a good sign. The ruling parties are encouraging such things,” Pawar alleged.

    Asked who is his favourite minister at the Centre in view of the Narendra Modi government having completed nine years, Pawar said, “There are some whose work is indisputable. For example, Nitin Gadkari. He doesn’t keep a party angle (in his work). If we take an issue to him, he checks its importance and not the person telling about it.”

    The NCP chief also expressed concern over agriculture-related issues in the state.

    “The situation of cotton-producing farmers is serious. Cotton has to be purchased. It is not done, farmers have to decide to come out on the road and the NCP will be behind them,” he said.

    Pawar said the government’s perspective is not as positive as it has to be.

    The quota (for export) is not decided and on the other side, sugar prices are coming down.

    The ongoing economics is not beneficial for agriculture producers, he said.

    AURANGABAD: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday claimed that small incidents in Maharashtra were being given a “religious colour”, which was not a good sign.

    He also claimed that there is currently an “anti-BJP” wave and people of the country want a change considering results of the recent Assembly polls in Karnataka.

    If this mindset of people continues, the country will witness a change in the forthcoming elections, Pawar said at a press meet here.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced defeat in the recently held Assembly elections in Karnataka, where the Congress came back to power after a gap of five years.

    The Lok Sabha elections are due in 2024, and the Maharashtra Assembly polls are also due in the later part of next year.

    Pawar said, “Looking at the scenario, I think there is an anti-BJP wave going on. Considering the Karnataka election results, people are in the mood for a change. If this mentality of people continues, there will be a change in the country in the forthcoming elections. There is no need of any astrologer to tell this.”

    Asked about the possibility that the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly polls may be held simultaneously, the NCP chief said many people from his party and allies are also of the same view.

    “But, I don’t think so. Considering the results of the Karnataka Assembly polls, I don’t think rulers of the country will fall into a mess of conducting the state Assembly elections along with the Lok Sabha polls. They will only focus on the Lok Sabha polls,” Pawar said.

    On the ‘Telangana model’ (of giving financial assistance to farmers) being promoted in Maharashtra, Pawar said, “The Telangana model has to be checked. But, Telangana is a small state and announcing such an aid in a small state can be done. But, I feel more funds should be spent on infrastructure works (related to farming).”

    Asked about the law and order situation and some incidents of violence in Maharashtra in the recent past, Pawar claimed “religious colour” was being given to some small issues in the state.

    “The rulers are responsible to establish law and order in the state. If the ruling parties and their people come out on roads over it and create a rift between two religions, then it is not a good sign,” he said.

    If a poster (of some person) is shown in Aurangabad, why there is a need for violence in Pune. But it is being made to happen, he claimed.

    “Recently we heard about Ahmednagar. Today, I saw a news from Kolhapur. People came out on roads, and giving religious colour to a small incident of sending message over phone is not a good sign. The ruling parties are encouraging such things,” Pawar alleged.

    Asked who is his favourite minister at the Centre in view of the Narendra Modi government having completed nine years, Pawar said, “There are some whose work is indisputable. For example, Nitin Gadkari. He doesn’t keep a party angle (in his work). If we take an issue to him, he checks its importance and not the person telling about it.”

    The NCP chief also expressed concern over agriculture-related issues in the state.

    “The situation of cotton-producing farmers is serious. Cotton has to be purchased. It is not done, farmers have to decide to come out on the road and the NCP will be behind them,” he said.

    Pawar said the government’s perspective is not as positive as it has to be.

    The quota (for export) is not decided and on the other side, sugar prices are coming down.

    The ongoing economics is not beneficial for agriculture producers, he said.

  • 2024 Lok Sabha and Maharashtra assembly seat sharing leads to fissure in MVA

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: The 2024 Lok Sabha and state assembly seat sharing among the alliance partners of Maha Vikas Aghadi has turned into a bone of contention, with each party demanding more seats.

    NCP supremo Sharad Pawar was on Solapur district tour where he demanded the Solapur seat. Earlier, NCP workers from Solapur said that NCP has more strength than the Congress in Solapur seat. The demand was even supported by NCP MLA Rohit Pawar. But Congress refused to concede the seat saying Solapur is their traditional seat.

    Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said Congress is the national party and it has a solid base in Maharashtra, therefore it will contest as many seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

    “There are no differences with Maha Vikas Aghadi. Whatever issues in our alliance will be sorted out. We are united against the BJP and confident of defeating them,” Patole said.

    NCP leader on the condition of anonymity said that, at present, NCP is the strongest party in MVA in terms of elected Lok Sabha MPs and MLAs.

    “Congress has only one Lok Sabha MP and 44 MLAs, Shiv Sena (UBT) has only five Lok Sabha MPs and 16 MLAs and NCP has five Lok Sabha MPs and the highest number of 56 MLAs. So, our political and electoral strength is more, both alliance partners should understand and demand the seats in elections accordingly. The alliance partners should be realistic during the seat sharing, otherwise, things may go different ways. We want to avoid it, therefore, asking both the alliance partners to have seat-sharing early,” the senior NCP leader added.

    NCP is upset with Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut for his edit commenting that Sharad Pawar failed to find a successor to his party and hence was forced to rescind his resignation.

    Raut also said that some sections of the NCP were ready with their travel bags to join the BJP. Reacting to it, NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said that Sanjay Raut, rather than writing on NCP leaders, should focus on his own party.

    “If Raut had focused his party and their leaders’ travel bags, Uddhav Thackeray would not have lost his government and there would not be a  split in their party as well. So, Sanjay Raut should not comment on our party’s internal matters if he really wants MVA to survive and thrive,” Bhujbal added.

    NCP chief Sharad Pawar also said that he does not give importance to the writing of Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece Saamana.

    MUMBAI: The 2024 Lok Sabha and state assembly seat sharing among the alliance partners of Maha Vikas Aghadi has turned into a bone of contention, with each party demanding more seats.

    NCP supremo Sharad Pawar was on Solapur district tour where he demanded the Solapur seat. Earlier, NCP workers from Solapur said that NCP has more strength than the Congress in Solapur seat. The demand was even supported by NCP MLA Rohit Pawar. But Congress refused to concede the seat saying Solapur is their traditional seat.

    Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said Congress is the national party and it has a solid base in Maharashtra, therefore it will contest as many seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    “There are no differences with Maha Vikas Aghadi. Whatever issues in our alliance will be sorted out. We are united against the BJP and confident of defeating them,” Patole said.

    NCP leader on the condition of anonymity said that, at present, NCP is the strongest party in MVA in terms of elected Lok Sabha MPs and MLAs.

    “Congress has only one Lok Sabha MP and 44 MLAs, Shiv Sena (UBT) has only five Lok Sabha MPs and 16 MLAs and NCP has five Lok Sabha MPs and the highest number of 56 MLAs. So, our political and electoral strength is more, both alliance partners should understand and demand the seats in elections accordingly. The alliance partners should be realistic during the seat sharing, otherwise, things may go different ways. We want to avoid it, therefore, asking both the alliance partners to have seat-sharing early,” the senior NCP leader added.

    NCP is upset with Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut for his edit commenting that Sharad Pawar failed to find a successor to his party and hence was forced to rescind his resignation.

    Raut also said that some sections of the NCP were ready with their travel bags to join the BJP. Reacting to it, NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said that Sanjay Raut, rather than writing on NCP leaders, should focus on his own party.

    “If Raut had focused his party and their leaders’ travel bags, Uddhav Thackeray would not have lost his government and there would not be a  split in their party as well. So, Sanjay Raut should not comment on our party’s internal matters if he really wants MVA to survive and thrive,” Bhujbal added.

    NCP chief Sharad Pawar also said that he does not give importance to the writing of Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece Saamana.

  • Sharad Pawar does a U-turn, to stay as NCP chief

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: After all the drama, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Friday withdrew his resignation, checkmating nephew Ajit Pawar’s ambitions to align the party with the BJP. Significantly, Ajit was missing when Pawar senior announced the withdrawal of his resignation.

    Along with Ajit, powerful MLAs like Dilip Walse Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde, wanted to join hands with the BJP to enjoy power while staying out of the radar of central probe agencies. But Pawar Saheb refused to budge, said a well-placed source.

    Since Ajit kept pestering him, Sharad Pawar called a meeting of his family members that included spouse Pratibha Pawar and daughter Supriya Sule to discuss the way forward.

    That was when it was decided that Sharad Pawar will step down and Supriya will handle the party at the national level while Ajit would do so at the state level.

    “It was meant to insulate Sharad Pawar from the fallout of Ajit’s plan to ally with the BJP,” the source said.

    While Ajit wanted him to quit, Supriya was against it. A panel that discussed the resignation, passed a one-line resolution asking Pawar to withdraw it. Later in the evening, he accepted their decision. 

    Speaking at a press conference, Pawar, who had sprung a surprise by announcing his resignation three days ago, said he could not disrespect the sentiments of his colleagues and party workers who insisted that he withdraw his decision.

    “I cannot disrespect their feelings. I am overwhelmed by the love, trust and faith showered on me. Considering the appeals made by all of you, and honouring the decision of the committee constituted by the party, I am withdrawing my decision to retire,” the veteran politician said amid a thunderous round of applause.

    “I will also work vigorously for the growth of the organisation and take our ideology and goals of the party to the people,” he added. 

    READ MORE:

    Sharad Pawar blames Congress for his nephew’s revolt against the party in 2019

    Uddhav failed to quell revolt, surrendered with no effort to save govt: Sharad Pawar

    MUMBAI: After all the drama, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Friday withdrew his resignation, checkmating nephew Ajit Pawar’s ambitions to align the party with the BJP. Significantly, Ajit was missing when Pawar senior announced the withdrawal of his resignation.

    Along with Ajit, powerful MLAs like Dilip Walse Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde, wanted to join hands with the BJP to enjoy power while staying out of the radar of central probe agencies. But Pawar Saheb refused to budge, said a well-placed source.

    Since Ajit kept pestering him, Sharad Pawar called a meeting of his family members that included spouse Pratibha Pawar and daughter Supriya Sule to discuss the way forward.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    That was when it was decided that Sharad Pawar will step down and Supriya will handle the party at the national level while Ajit would do so at the state level.

    “It was meant to insulate Sharad Pawar from the fallout of Ajit’s plan to ally with the BJP,” the source said.

    While Ajit wanted him to quit, Supriya was against it. A panel that discussed the resignation, passed a one-line resolution asking Pawar to withdraw it. Later in the evening, he accepted their decision. 

    Speaking at a press conference, Pawar, who had sprung a surprise by announcing his resignation three days ago, said he could not disrespect the sentiments of his colleagues and party workers who insisted that he withdraw his decision.

    “I cannot disrespect their feelings. I am overwhelmed by the love, trust and faith showered on me. Considering the appeals made by all of you, and honouring the decision of the committee constituted by the party, I am withdrawing my decision to retire,” the veteran politician said amid a thunderous round of applause.

    “I will also work vigorously for the growth of the organisation and take our ideology and goals of the party to the people,” he added. 

    READ MORE:

    Sharad Pawar blames Congress for his nephew’s revolt against the party in 2019

    Uddhav failed to quell revolt, surrendered with no effort to save govt: Sharad Pawar

  • MVA in shreds? Raut says many NCP MLAs in favour of joining BJP

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI:  As a ‘blinding dust storm’ within the NCP takes time to settle, the revelations by Sharad Pawar in his biography ‘Lok Maja Sangati’ (On My Terms) have further soured his party’s relationship with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. 

    That has impacted badly on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), an alliance of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP. Sharad Pawar, the MVA architect, has said in his biography that Uddhav failed to prevent the revolt within the party and save the three-party-led government as well.

    In his response, Uddhav Thackeray said on Thursday that everyone has the right to write his own biography. “Whatever work I have done as chief minister is in the public domain. My work during the pandemic has been appreciated and people perceive me as their family member. I will not speak more about it,” Uddhav said.

    In the book, Pawar says he used to comfortably speak with Balasaheb Thackeray but found it difficult while interacting with Uddhav after he became the CM. Then it was the turn of Sanjay Raut, the Sena (Uddhav) Rajya Sabha member. In his edit column in the party organ Saamana on Thursday, he said a section of the NCP is on the verge of joining the BJP. “Sharad does not want to see a split in his party, so he chose to quit as party chief. Another reason was that he wants to retain his secular image,” Raut wrote.

    He said Sharad Pawar has taken the “right decision” by announcing his resignation as the party chief. “NCP state chief Jayant Patil spoke of feelings of common party workers — Pawar is NCP and vice versa. People vote for the NCP by looking at Sharad Pawar only.” Then came the truth as seen by him. “A section of the NCP is already on the threshold of joining the BJP. A political earthquake can take place in Maharashtra at any time,” Raut said.

    MUMBAI:  As a ‘blinding dust storm’ within the NCP takes time to settle, the revelations by Sharad Pawar in his biography ‘Lok Maja Sangati’ (On My Terms) have further soured his party’s relationship with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. 

    That has impacted badly on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), an alliance of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP. Sharad Pawar, the MVA architect, has said in his biography that Uddhav failed to prevent the revolt within the party and save the three-party-led government as well.

    In his response, Uddhav Thackeray said on Thursday that everyone has the right to write his own biography. “Whatever work I have done as chief minister is in the public domain. My work during the pandemic has been appreciated and people perceive me as their family member. I will not speak more about it,” Uddhav said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    In the book, Pawar says he used to comfortably speak with Balasaheb Thackeray but found it difficult while interacting with Uddhav after he became the CM. Then it was the turn of Sanjay Raut, the Sena (Uddhav) Rajya Sabha member. In his edit column in the party organ Saamana on Thursday, he said a section of the NCP is on the verge of joining the BJP. “Sharad does not want to see a split in his party, so he chose to quit as party chief. Another reason was that he wants to retain his secular image,” Raut wrote.

    He said Sharad Pawar has taken the “right decision” by announcing his resignation as the party chief. “NCP state chief Jayant Patil spoke of feelings of common party workers — Pawar is NCP and vice versa. People vote for the NCP by looking at Sharad Pawar only.” Then came the truth as seen by him. “A section of the NCP is already on the threshold of joining the BJP. A political earthquake can take place in Maharashtra at any time,” Raut said.

  • Sharad Pawar needs 2-3 days to think about decision of stepping down as NCP chief: Ajit

    Scores of Nationalist Congress Party workers refused to leave the venue, where Pawar earlier in the day announced his decision to step down as NCP chief. MUMBAI: Seeking to pacify party workers protesting against his announcement to step down as NCP chief, Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said he will need two to three days to “think over” his decision.

    Conveying his message to protesting party workers, his nephew Ajit Pawar also requested NCP functionaries not to resign from their posts in protest against Pawar senior’s surprise decision.

    “He (Sharad Pawar) has said he has made his decision, but he will need two-three days to think it over on account of your insistence.

    But he will think it over only when all workers go home,” Ajit told party workers at the premises of the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan here.

    Scores of Nationalist Congress Party workers refused to leave the venue, where Pawar earlier in the day announced his decision during the launch of his revised autobiography.

    They stayed put even after Pawar left for his residence.

  • Remarks on Maha Vikas Aghadi twisted, out of context: Sharad Pawar

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI:  NCP leader Sharad Pawar said his party is a part of the united Opposition and that his words were twisted to create confusion. He said on Monday that his statement on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has twisted and different meanings were spread.

    While one visit to Amravati. Pawar said they are part of Maha Vikas Aghadi, and there is a willingness to work together as well. “But the desire alone is not always enough. The allotment of seats has not been yet discussed. There are issues regarding seat sharing, so, how can I tell you about the alliance of MVA” when he was asked whether MVA parties will fight the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections together.

    Meanwhile,Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut said that MVA will contest the next assembly elections together. He said, Maha Vikas Aghadi will remain united. BJP’s president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, NCP chief Sharad Pawar is not committed to be a part of the MVA.

    Meanwhile amidst talk of Ajit Pawar mobilising the group of 40 MLAs to join the BJP and becoming  the chief minister of Maharashtra, NCP chief Sharad Pawar has also warned the party members of stern action if attempts were made to break the party.

    “There are issues regarding seat sharing, so, how can I tell you about the alliance of MVA?” Desire alone is not always enough. The allotment of seats has not been yet discussed. There are issues regarding seat sharing, so, how can I tell you about the alliance of MVA,  says NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

    Paxar said his party is a part of the united opposition (M.V.A) and that his words were twisted to create confusion. He clarified  on Monday that his statement on Maha Vikas Aghadi has twisted and different meanings were spread. While on a visit to Amravati. Pawar said they are part of Maha Vikas Aghadi, and there is a willingness to work together as well.

    “But the desire alone is not always enough. The allotment of seats has not been yet discussed. There are issues regarding seat sharing, so, how can I tell you about the alliance of MVA?” he said when he was asked whether MVA parties will fight the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections together.

    Meanwhile,Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut said that MVA will contest the next assembly elections together.  Amidst talk of Ajit Pawar mobilising the group of 40 MLAs to join the BJP and becoming  the CM, Pawar warned members of stern action if attempts were made to break the party.

    Meanwhile, CM Shinde goes on 3-day leave 

    Amid talks of change of guard in Maharashtra and new political realignment, Maharashtra Chief minister Eknath Shinde surprisingly took an unofficial leave for three days to visit his home town in Satara district.

    According to the sources close to Shinde, there was no plan to go on unofficial leave, but the chief minister after conducting meetings with district collectors and divisional commissioners informed his staff that he is leaving for his home town in Satara.

    Shinde will be on leave from April 24 to 26. “It was surprising that CM Eknath Shinde went for a three-day-leave to his home town when a lot of political developments are happening in Maharashtra. The Chief Minister is not happy with the BJP for their talks behind the curtain with the NCP leader Ajit Pawar for different political alignment in state, when it was working perfectly on the BJP’s agenda and plan. He did not expect such political development to start at this juncture,” said a person close to Eknath.

    MUMBAI:  NCP leader Sharad Pawar said his party is a part of the united Opposition and that his words were twisted to create confusion. He said on Monday that his statement on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has twisted and different meanings were spread.

    While one visit to Amravati. Pawar said they are part of Maha Vikas Aghadi, and there is a willingness to work together as well. “But the desire alone is not always enough. The allotment of seats has not been yet discussed. There are issues regarding seat sharing, so, how can I tell you about the alliance of MVA” when he was asked whether MVA parties will fight the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections together.

    Meanwhile,Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut said that MVA will contest the next assembly elections together. He said, Maha Vikas Aghadi will remain united. BJP’s president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, NCP chief Sharad Pawar is not committed to be a part of the MVA.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Meanwhile amidst talk of Ajit Pawar mobilising the group of 40 MLAs to join the BJP and becoming  the chief minister of Maharashtra, NCP chief Sharad Pawar has also warned the party members of stern action if attempts were made to break the party.

    “There are issues regarding seat sharing, so, how can I tell you about the alliance of MVA?” Desire alone is not always enough. The allotment of seats has not been yet discussed. There are issues regarding seat sharing, so, how can I tell you about the alliance of MVA,  says NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

    Paxar said his party is a part of the united opposition (M.V.A) and that his words were twisted to create confusion. He clarified  on Monday that his statement on Maha Vikas Aghadi has twisted and different meanings were spread. While on a visit to Amravati. Pawar said they are part of Maha Vikas Aghadi, and there is a willingness to work together as well.

    “But the desire alone is not always enough. The allotment of seats has not been yet discussed. There are issues regarding seat sharing, so, how can I tell you about the alliance of MVA?” he said when he was asked whether MVA parties will fight the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections together.

    Meanwhile,Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut said that MVA will contest the next assembly elections together.  Amidst talk of Ajit Pawar mobilising the group of 40 MLAs to join the BJP and becoming  the CM, Pawar warned members of stern action if attempts were made to break the party.

    Meanwhile, CM Shinde goes on 3-day leave 

    Amid talks of change of guard in Maharashtra and new political realignment, Maharashtra Chief minister Eknath Shinde surprisingly took an unofficial leave for three days to visit his home town in Satara district.

    According to the sources close to Shinde, there was no plan to go on unofficial leave, but the chief minister after conducting meetings with district collectors and divisional commissioners informed his staff that he is leaving for his home town in Satara.

    Shinde will be on leave from April 24 to 26. “It was surprising that CM Eknath Shinde went for a three-day-leave to his home town when a lot of political developments are happening in Maharashtra. The Chief Minister is not happy with the BJP for their talks behind the curtain with the NCP leader Ajit Pawar for different political alignment in state, when it was working perfectly on the BJP’s agenda and plan. He did not expect such political development to start at this juncture,” said a person close to Eknath.

  • Why 2024, NCP can stake claim to Maharashtra CM post now also: Ajit Pawar

    By PTI

    PUNE: Amid speculation over his next political move, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Friday said his outfit can stake a claim to the post of Maharashtra’s chief minister “now also” instead of waiting for 2024 when Assembly polls are due in the state.

    The Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly also told an interviewer that he will “100 per cent” like to be chief minister of Maharashtra.

    In a free-wheeling interview to the Sakal Media Group at a programme called ‘Dilkhulas Dada’ in Pune, Pawar said he had heard that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, before his rebellion against the Shiv Sena leadership in June 2022, was unhappy and something was going in his mind.

    Pawar revealed his colleague late R R Patil would have become Chief Minister in 2004 when the NCP had won more Assembly seats than its ally Congress, but a message came from Delhi that his party will get the deputy CM’s post.

    Asked whether the NCP will stake a claim for the chief minister’s post next year when Assembly polls are due in Maharashtra, he remarked, “Why 2024, we are ready to stake a claim for the CM position now also.”

    He, however, did not elaborate on the statement.

    During the rapid fire round, the MLA from Baramati in Pune district, who has served as deputy CM multiple times, was asked by the interviewer whether he would like to become chief minister.

    To this, Pawar promptly replied, “Yes, I would 100 per cent like to be (CM).”

    ALSO READ | Sharad Pawar tightens his grip over NCP, tells Ajit not to break it

    Asked why the NCP has an attraction for the deputy CM’s position as the party has got that post on multiple occasions in the last 20 years, the veteran politician said in 2004, the NCP and the Congress fought Assembly elections in an alliance and the former had won more seats.

    “We got 71 seats, while the Congress won 69. Everyone, including the Congress, thought CM would be from the NCP. However, some decisions were taken at the highest level and a message came from Delhi that the NCP will get the deputy chief minister position and the CM post went to Congress,” he said.

    Pawar said his colleague Patil was chosen as the Leader of the House (Assembly), and he would have become chief minister in 2004 if the top post was given to the NCP. In the subsequent Assembly polls, the Congress bagged more seats than the NCP and naturally kept the CM’s post with itself, he said.

    Asked whether he liked working with Congress CM Prithviraj Chavan or Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, who occupied the top post from November 2019 to June 2022, Pawar said they worked with the latter “happily”, but working with the former was out of choice.

    On Shinde’s revolt and subsequent split in the Shiv Sena, the former deputy CM said they used to hear that Shinde, then his Cabinet colleague in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, was unhappy and sensed something was going on in his mind.

    “We had alerted Pawar Saheb (NCP president Sharad Pawar) and Thackeray was also apprised about it. The BJP had been trying to pull down the MVA government since the first day of its formation. The wife of a key politician confessed later that her husband used to go out in disguise, and later some ministers said Shinde and a particular leader used to meet,” Pawar said without taking any names.

    ALSO READ | Won’t be in govt if Ajit Pawar joins BJP with NCP group: Shinde camp

    He said during the MVA government, Thackeray had given full control of Thane district to Shinde, then a Cabinet minister, and some officials appointed by him had helped rebel Shiv Sena MLAs to sneak out of Mumbai and reach Surat on June 20.

    Queried about him being soft on senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, Pawar said the two had political and ideological differences but weren’t enemies, and cited the example of Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray who attacked each other during rallies and speeches but were good friends.

    Pawar went on add that a commonality between him and Fadnavis was that they were both born on July 22. Pawar was born in 1959 and Fadnavis in 1970.

    Speaking about the rise of the BJP over the last few years, Pawar said it was all due to the charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who managed to lead the party to a majority in consecutive Lok Sabha polls in 2014 and 2019, a feat which even veterans like former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani could not manage.

    “However, today when the question is asked who after Modi, then no name comes to the fore and we know going forward there will be coalition governments at the national level,” the NCP leader added.

    On India surpassing China as the world’s most populous nation, Pawar said some stringent measures need to be taken to check its growth.

    “A child is not a blessing of Allah or Parameshwar. It is the blessing of the husband and wife. This fact should be understood by all and superstitions on this issue must be removed,” Pawar said.

    He said had the five-point programme of Sanjay Gandhi (to check population growth) been implemented properly, the problems associated with the rise in population would not have been faced by the country.

    Pawar on Friday skipped a meeting of his party’s Mumbai unit, raising eyebrows in political circles as speculation about his next political move refuses to die down.

    Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pawar played down the buzz saying he was unable to attend the NCP convention as he had to remain present for some other programmes happening at the same time.

    He insisted nothing much should be read into this.

    ALSO READ | Ajit Pawar gets signatures of 40 ready to bolt

    PUNE: Amid speculation over his next political move, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Friday said his outfit can stake a claim to the post of Maharashtra’s chief minister “now also” instead of waiting for 2024 when Assembly polls are due in the state.

    The Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly also told an interviewer that he will “100 per cent” like to be chief minister of Maharashtra.

    In a free-wheeling interview to the Sakal Media Group at a programme called ‘Dilkhulas Dada’ in Pune, Pawar said he had heard that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, before his rebellion against the Shiv Sena leadership in June 2022, was unhappy and something was going in his mind.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Pawar revealed his colleague late R R Patil would have become Chief Minister in 2004 when the NCP had won more Assembly seats than its ally Congress, but a message came from Delhi that his party will get the deputy CM’s post.

    Asked whether the NCP will stake a claim for the chief minister’s post next year when Assembly polls are due in Maharashtra, he remarked, “Why 2024, we are ready to stake a claim for the CM position now also.”

    He, however, did not elaborate on the statement.

    During the rapid fire round, the MLA from Baramati in Pune district, who has served as deputy CM multiple times, was asked by the interviewer whether he would like to become chief minister.

    To this, Pawar promptly replied, “Yes, I would 100 per cent like to be (CM).”

    ALSO READ | Sharad Pawar tightens his grip over NCP, tells Ajit not to break it

    Asked why the NCP has an attraction for the deputy CM’s position as the party has got that post on multiple occasions in the last 20 years, the veteran politician said in 2004, the NCP and the Congress fought Assembly elections in an alliance and the former had won more seats.

    “We got 71 seats, while the Congress won 69. Everyone, including the Congress, thought CM would be from the NCP. However, some decisions were taken at the highest level and a message came from Delhi that the NCP will get the deputy chief minister position and the CM post went to Congress,” he said.

    Pawar said his colleague Patil was chosen as the Leader of the House (Assembly), and he would have become chief minister in 2004 if the top post was given to the NCP. In the subsequent Assembly polls, the Congress bagged more seats than the NCP and naturally kept the CM’s post with itself, he said.

    Asked whether he liked working with Congress CM Prithviraj Chavan or Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, who occupied the top post from November 2019 to June 2022, Pawar said they worked with the latter “happily”, but working with the former was out of choice.

    On Shinde’s revolt and subsequent split in the Shiv Sena, the former deputy CM said they used to hear that Shinde, then his Cabinet colleague in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, was unhappy and sensed something was going on in his mind.

    “We had alerted Pawar Saheb (NCP president Sharad Pawar) and Thackeray was also apprised about it. The BJP had been trying to pull down the MVA government since the first day of its formation. The wife of a key politician confessed later that her husband used to go out in disguise, and later some ministers said Shinde and a particular leader used to meet,” Pawar said without taking any names.

    ALSO READ | Won’t be in govt if Ajit Pawar joins BJP with NCP group: Shinde camp

    He said during the MVA government, Thackeray had given full control of Thane district to Shinde, then a Cabinet minister, and some officials appointed by him had helped rebel Shiv Sena MLAs to sneak out of Mumbai and reach Surat on June 20.

    Queried about him being soft on senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, Pawar said the two had political and ideological differences but weren’t enemies, and cited the example of Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray who attacked each other during rallies and speeches but were good friends.

    Pawar went on add that a commonality between him and Fadnavis was that they were both born on July 22. Pawar was born in 1959 and Fadnavis in 1970.

    Speaking about the rise of the BJP over the last few years, Pawar said it was all due to the charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who managed to lead the party to a majority in consecutive Lok Sabha polls in 2014 and 2019, a feat which even veterans like former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani could not manage.

    “However, today when the question is asked who after Modi, then no name comes to the fore and we know going forward there will be coalition governments at the national level,” the NCP leader added.

    On India surpassing China as the world’s most populous nation, Pawar said some stringent measures need to be taken to check its growth.

    “A child is not a blessing of Allah or Parameshwar. It is the blessing of the husband and wife. This fact should be understood by all and superstitions on this issue must be removed,” Pawar said.

    He said had the five-point programme of Sanjay Gandhi (to check population growth) been implemented properly, the problems associated with the rise in population would not have been faced by the country.

    Pawar on Friday skipped a meeting of his party’s Mumbai unit, raising eyebrows in political circles as speculation about his next political move refuses to die down.

    Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pawar played down the buzz saying he was unable to attend the NCP convention as he had to remain present for some other programmes happening at the same time.

    He insisted nothing much should be read into this.

    ALSO READ | Ajit Pawar gets signatures of 40 ready to bolt

  • BJP’s bid to form govt with Ajit Pawar had one benefit, it ended Prez Rule in Maha: Sharad Pawar

    By PTI

    PUNE: Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday that the BJP’s attempt to form a government with his nephew and NCP leader Ajit Pawar had one benefit as it ended the President’s Rule in Maharashtra in 2019.

    His remarks prompted Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to assert that the NCP chief should also explain why the President’s Rule was imposed in the state in the first place after the 2019 assembly polls.

    Addressing a press conference at Pimpri-Chinchwad, Sharad Pawar said that had the exercise not happened, the President’s Rule would have continued in the state. He was replying to a question about Fandavis’s claim that the formation of the government with Ajit Pawar had the backing of the NCP chief.

    “There was an attempt to form a government. One benefit of that exercise was that it helped to lift the President’s Rule in Maharashtra and everyone has witnessed what happened after that,” he said.

    When asked if he was aware of the formation of such a government and why Ajit Pawar is tight-lipped on the issue, the NCP chief wondered if there was a need to speak about it. “I just said that had this kind of exercise not happened, would the President’s Rule have been lifted? Had the President’s Rule not been lifted, would Uddhav Thackeray have been sworn in as the chief minister?” he asked.

    In one of the biggest political surprises in Maharashtra, then Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had sworn in Fadnavis as chief minister and Ajit Pawar as deputy CM in an early morning ceremony on November 23, 2019.

    But the government lasted just three days, after which Uddhav Thackeray was sworn in as chief minister with the backing of the NCP and Congress.

    ALSO READ | SC refuses to stay Uddhav’s plea against EC granting ‘Shiv Sena’ name to Shinde faction

    Asked if he was hinting that he was aware of the developments, the NCP chief quipped, “A person recently said that one person (Sharad Pawar) is responsible for anything that happens in Maharashtra.”

    Speaking on the Election Commission’s decision to recognise the Eknath Shinde-led group as the real Shiv Sena, Pawar said differences are common in politics but it has never happened in the country that a party’s name and symbol were “snatched away” by misusing power.

    “When there was a split in the Congress, two entities named Congress (I) and Congress (S) emerged. I was the Congress (I) president and Indira Gandhi was the chief of Congress (I). That time, I had the right to use the Congress’ name. In today’s scenario, the party’s name and its symbol have been given to others. Such a thing never happened in the history of India,” said the veteran politician.

    Citing his experience, the NCP chief said that whenever there is “excessive misuse of power” and attempts are made to suppress a party, the public stands by that party. “I recently travelled to many districts and found that though leaders have left the Shiv Sena, the staunch Shiv Sainiks (party workers) are still with Uddhav Thackeray and it will be proved in the elections,” he said.

    “Who took the decision? Was it (Election) Commission, or someone who is guiding the Commission? Such decisions were not made in the past. The role of a big power behind this cannot be ruled out,” he said.

    The NCP refused to comment on what could be the Supreme Court’s decision in the matter, saying, “It is the judiciary, and we believe in the judiciary.”

    ALSO READ | Raut alleges Rs 2,000 crore deal to ‘purchase’ Shiv Sena name, symbol; Shinde camp, BJP dismiss claim

    On former governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s interviews, which sparked controversies, Sharad Pawar said he is happy that Koshyari has quit. “In Maharashtra, several governors came and everyone elevated the dignity of the governor’s position but there is only one exception to that list and that is Koshyari,” he said.

    Asked about Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s ‘threat to life’ allegation and Congress leader Ashok Chavan’s spying claims, Pawar said the prevailing situation in the state is not good. “Those who have the responsibility of the state’s law and order should keep a watch on the situation and conduct a thorough investigation,” he said.

    About the National Investigation Agency’s claim in the Bombay High Court that Gautam Navlakha, one of the accused in the Elgar Parishad case, was in touch with Pakistan’s spy agency ISI, Pawar said he cannot speak on the issue as the matter is sub judice. “I have read about the case. According to me, there can be ideological differences, but I do not think it is good to term someone anti-national just because the person’s ideology is opposite,” he said.

    Before the press conference, Pawar took part in an election meeting in Pimpri-Chinchwad in support of NCP’s candidate Nana Kate, who is contesting the bypoll in the Chinchwad constituency against BJP’s Ashwini Jagtap.

    Referring to the NCP chief’s remarks, Deputy CM and BJP leader Fadnavis said he should also explain why the President’s Rule was imposed in Maharashtra in the first place after the 2019 assembly polls.

    The Shiv Sena under Uddhav Thackeray and the BJP had fallen apart after the 2019 state polls over the post of the chief minister.

    Thackeray then joined hands with the NCP and Congress to former the government under the banner of the Maha Vikas Aghadi.

    Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Fadnavis said, “If Pawar has explained about the lifting of the President’s Rule, then he should also explain on whose instructions it was imposed in the first place. Who asked to impose it, why it came into effect are the questions he should also answer.”

    The deputy CM added, “If he (Pawar) can clarify these issues, then all links will be connected and people will come to know the exact timeline of events. He himself should reveal more details.”

    PUNE: Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday that the BJP’s attempt to form a government with his nephew and NCP leader Ajit Pawar had one benefit as it ended the President’s Rule in Maharashtra in 2019.

    His remarks prompted Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to assert that the NCP chief should also explain why the President’s Rule was imposed in the state in the first place after the 2019 assembly polls.

    Addressing a press conference at Pimpri-Chinchwad, Sharad Pawar said that had the exercise not happened, the President’s Rule would have continued in the state. He was replying to a question about Fandavis’s claim that the formation of the government with Ajit Pawar had the backing of the NCP chief.

    “There was an attempt to form a government. One benefit of that exercise was that it helped to lift the President’s Rule in Maharashtra and everyone has witnessed what happened after that,” he said.

    When asked if he was aware of the formation of such a government and why Ajit Pawar is tight-lipped on the issue, the NCP chief wondered if there was a need to speak about it. “I just said that had this kind of exercise not happened, would the President’s Rule have been lifted? Had the President’s Rule not been lifted, would Uddhav Thackeray have been sworn in as the chief minister?” he asked.

    In one of the biggest political surprises in Maharashtra, then Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had sworn in Fadnavis as chief minister and Ajit Pawar as deputy CM in an early morning ceremony on November 23, 2019.

    But the government lasted just three days, after which Uddhav Thackeray was sworn in as chief minister with the backing of the NCP and Congress.

    ALSO READ | SC refuses to stay Uddhav’s plea against EC granting ‘Shiv Sena’ name to Shinde faction

    Asked if he was hinting that he was aware of the developments, the NCP chief quipped, “A person recently said that one person (Sharad Pawar) is responsible for anything that happens in Maharashtra.”

    Speaking on the Election Commission’s decision to recognise the Eknath Shinde-led group as the real Shiv Sena, Pawar said differences are common in politics but it has never happened in the country that a party’s name and symbol were “snatched away” by misusing power.

    “When there was a split in the Congress, two entities named Congress (I) and Congress (S) emerged. I was the Congress (I) president and Indira Gandhi was the chief of Congress (I). That time, I had the right to use the Congress’ name. In today’s scenario, the party’s name and its symbol have been given to others. Such a thing never happened in the history of India,” said the veteran politician.

    Citing his experience, the NCP chief said that whenever there is “excessive misuse of power” and attempts are made to suppress a party, the public stands by that party. “I recently travelled to many districts and found that though leaders have left the Shiv Sena, the staunch Shiv Sainiks (party workers) are still with Uddhav Thackeray and it will be proved in the elections,” he said.

    “Who took the decision? Was it (Election) Commission, or someone who is guiding the Commission? Such decisions were not made in the past. The role of a big power behind this cannot be ruled out,” he said.

    The NCP refused to comment on what could be the Supreme Court’s decision in the matter, saying, “It is the judiciary, and we believe in the judiciary.”

    ALSO READ | Raut alleges Rs 2,000 crore deal to ‘purchase’ Shiv Sena name, symbol; Shinde camp, BJP dismiss claim

    On former governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s interviews, which sparked controversies, Sharad Pawar said he is happy that Koshyari has quit. “In Maharashtra, several governors came and everyone elevated the dignity of the governor’s position but there is only one exception to that list and that is Koshyari,” he said.

    Asked about Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s ‘threat to life’ allegation and Congress leader Ashok Chavan’s spying claims, Pawar said the prevailing situation in the state is not good. “Those who have the responsibility of the state’s law and order should keep a watch on the situation and conduct a thorough investigation,” he said.

    About the National Investigation Agency’s claim in the Bombay High Court that Gautam Navlakha, one of the accused in the Elgar Parishad case, was in touch with Pakistan’s spy agency ISI, Pawar said he cannot speak on the issue as the matter is sub judice. “I have read about the case. According to me, there can be ideological differences, but I do not think it is good to term someone anti-national just because the person’s ideology is opposite,” he said.

    Before the press conference, Pawar took part in an election meeting in Pimpri-Chinchwad in support of NCP’s candidate Nana Kate, who is contesting the bypoll in the Chinchwad constituency against BJP’s Ashwini Jagtap.

    Referring to the NCP chief’s remarks, Deputy CM and BJP leader Fadnavis said he should also explain why the President’s Rule was imposed in Maharashtra in the first place after the 2019 assembly polls.

    The Shiv Sena under Uddhav Thackeray and the BJP had fallen apart after the 2019 state polls over the post of the chief minister.

    Thackeray then joined hands with the NCP and Congress to former the government under the banner of the Maha Vikas Aghadi.

    Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Fadnavis said, “If Pawar has explained about the lifting of the President’s Rule, then he should also explain on whose instructions it was imposed in the first place. Who asked to impose it, why it came into effect are the questions he should also answer.”

    The deputy CM added, “If he (Pawar) can clarify these issues, then all links will be connected and people will come to know the exact timeline of events. He himself should reveal more details.”

  • Maha CM Shinde requests Sharad Pawar not to contest Chinchwad, Kasba Peth bypolls

    By Express News Service

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde dialled NCP chief Sharad Pawar and other Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders requesting them not to field candidates in the state bypolls in Chinchwad and Kasaba Peth.

    Chinchwad and Kasba Peth assembly bypolls were necessitated after the demise of incumbent BJP MLA Laxman Jagtap and Mukta Tilak respectively. The BJP has announced its candidate for both seats. Ashwini Jagtap, widow of Laxman Jagtap, will contest from Chinchwad, while Hemant Rasane will contest from Kasaba Peth.

    Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said that it is the culture of Maharashtra not to field candidates if byelections are necessitated after the demise of a sitting MLA.

    “We always support the deceased family members to get elected. We expect the same in both constituencies. Therefore, I called NCP chief Sharad Pawar and other Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders urging them to respect state culture and pave the way for BMC candidates,” Shinde said.

    Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), an alliance of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress, has so far not declared its candidates for the byelections.

    However, Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) leader, said that while it is true that the ruling party has requested their support, it was already decided in an MVA meeting to contest both byelections. He also said the ruling party should not teach them about morality.

    “In Andheri East elections, how the BJP and the ruling party (Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde) troubled deceased Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Latke’s widow Rutuja Latke. The BJP tried to block her candidature by all means but they failed. They were forced to withdraw their candidate at the eleventh hours after seeing their defeat,” Raut said.

    In the MVA meeting, it was also decided that the Kasaba Peth seat will be contested by the Congress while NCP will contest the Chinchwad seat.

    Sources said that Ravindra Dhangekar would be announced as the candidate from Congress for the Kasaba Peth seat. “The Brahmins of Kasba Peth are not happy with the BJP for announcing Hemant Rasane’s candidature. We were expecting someone either from the Mukta Tilak family or any Brahmin face but the BJP announced a non-Brahmin person (Hemant Rasane),” a senior BJP leader from Pune said.

    Kasaba Peth is the Brahamin voters’ traditional constituency of the BJP, the leader said. “Earlier, Girish Bapat and then Mukta Tilak was elected. The BJP is not giving justice to our community. We are taken for granted. Earlier, Medha Kulkarni was denied a ticket to accommodate Chandrakant Patil in Kothrud, now Rasane in place of Ms Tilak. This is not a good sign, the party may face the community’s wrath in the byelections,” he added.

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde dialled NCP chief Sharad Pawar and other Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders requesting them not to field candidates in the state bypolls in Chinchwad and Kasaba Peth.

    Chinchwad and Kasba Peth assembly bypolls were necessitated after the demise of incumbent BJP MLA Laxman Jagtap and Mukta Tilak respectively. The BJP has announced its candidate for both seats. Ashwini Jagtap, widow of Laxman Jagtap, will contest from Chinchwad, while Hemant Rasane will contest from Kasaba Peth.

    Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said that it is the culture of Maharashtra not to field candidates if byelections are necessitated after the demise of a sitting MLA.

    “We always support the deceased family members to get elected. We expect the same in both constituencies. Therefore, I called NCP chief Sharad Pawar and other Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders urging them to respect state culture and pave the way for BMC candidates,” Shinde said.

    Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), an alliance of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress, has so far not declared its candidates for the byelections.

    However, Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) leader, said that while it is true that the ruling party has requested their support, it was already decided in an MVA meeting to contest both byelections. He also said the ruling party should not teach them about morality.

    “In Andheri East elections, how the BJP and the ruling party (Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde) troubled deceased Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Latke’s widow Rutuja Latke. The BJP tried to block her candidature by all means but they failed. They were forced to withdraw their candidate at the eleventh hours after seeing their defeat,” Raut said.

    In the MVA meeting, it was also decided that the Kasaba Peth seat will be contested by the Congress while NCP will contest the Chinchwad seat.

    Sources said that Ravindra Dhangekar would be announced as the candidate from Congress for the Kasaba Peth seat. “The Brahmins of Kasba Peth are not happy with the BJP for announcing Hemant Rasane’s candidature. We were expecting someone either from the Mukta Tilak family or any Brahmin face but the BJP announced a non-Brahmin person (Hemant Rasane),” a senior BJP leader from Pune said.

    Kasaba Peth is the Brahamin voters’ traditional constituency of the BJP, the leader said. “Earlier, Girish Bapat and then Mukta Tilak was elected. The BJP is not giving justice to our community. We are taken for granted. Earlier, Medha Kulkarni was denied a ticket to accommodate Chandrakant Patil in Kothrud, now Rasane in place of Ms Tilak. This is not a good sign, the party may face the community’s wrath in the byelections,” he added.

  • Gujarat poll does not reflect nation’s mood: Sharad Pawar

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar on Thursday said the verdict of the Gujarat Assembly election was on expected lines, but it doesn’t reflect the mood of the nation.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday appeared headed for a record victory in Gujarat as trends available after five rounds of voting showed the party was leading in 155 of the state’s 182 assembly seats that went to polls earlier this month.

    Addressing the NCP’s state executive meeting, Pawar said, “The Gujarat verdict is on expected lines as the entire power machinery was used for the benefit of one particular state and projects were shifted there.”

    ALSO READ | Gujarat results on expected lines, says Raut

    “The Gujarat results don’t reflect the mood of the country. The results of the civic polls in Delhi and Himachal Pradesh Assembly, where the BJP has been defeated prove that,” the former Union minister said.

    The Congress is leading in Himachal Pradesh on 39 seats, while the BJP was leading on 25 and had won one seat. The majority mark is 35 in the 68-member assembly.

    MUMBAI: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar on Thursday said the verdict of the Gujarat Assembly election was on expected lines, but it doesn’t reflect the mood of the nation.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday appeared headed for a record victory in Gujarat as trends available after five rounds of voting showed the party was leading in 155 of the state’s 182 assembly seats that went to polls earlier this month.

    Addressing the NCP’s state executive meeting, Pawar said, “The Gujarat verdict is on expected lines as the entire power machinery was used for the benefit of one particular state and projects were shifted there.”

    ALSO READ | Gujarat results on expected lines, says Raut

    “The Gujarat results don’t reflect the mood of the country. The results of the civic polls in Delhi and Himachal Pradesh Assembly, where the BJP has been defeated prove that,” the former Union minister said.

    The Congress is leading in Himachal Pradesh on 39 seats, while the BJP was leading on 25 and had won one seat. The majority mark is 35 in the 68-member assembly.