"When Will You Retire?" Ajit Pawar Questions Sharad Pawar, Pledges To Make NCP A National Party Again

In a show of strength by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions on Wednesday (5 July), Ajit Pawar faction seemed to be ahead in the number game but short of the two-thirds mark (36 MLAs) needed to stake claim to the NCP.

However, Ajit Pawar said that he is in touch with all the MLAs, including those who are attending Sharad Pawar's meeting.

Here are a few highlights from his speech at the meeting:

Targeting Sharad Pawar's opportunism

Ajit Pawar repeatedly criticised Sharad Pawar and highlighted instances where he believes Pawar broke alliances for personal gains throughout his political career.

He pointed out Pawar's decision to break away from the Congress party over Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin issue, emphasising it as an example of opportunism.

Ajit Pawar questioned then why the NCP formed alliances multiple times with the same Congress, the latest being in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

Targeting Sharad Pawar's age

Taking a dig at Sharad Pawar's age, Ajit Pawar specifically mentioned that politicians are most effective between the ages of 25 and 75. He also raised the topic of retirement, emphasising that every profession has a designated age for stepping down.

"You are now 83. Will there come a time when you retire? We seek your blessings; you are our inspiration. I even urged Supriya Sule to persuade Pawar Saheb to consider retirement. However, she informed me that he is resolute and unwilling to listen. How much longer?" Ajit questioned.

Ajit Pawar revealed that Sharad Pawar had expressed his desire to resign and focus on overseeing the various institutions he had established. However, a few days later, he retracted his resignation. "What was the purpose of resigning if the intention was to withdraw it later?" Ajit wondered.

Pledging to revive NCP

Ajit Pawar remarked, "Back in 2004, despite having the maximum number of MLAs, we were advised against assuming the CM post. If we had taken the opportunity back then, Maharashtra would have consistently had an NCP Chief Minister."

He further questions, "Why did we let go of that opportunity? What led to such a decision, despite having the chance? Did we lack anything at that time? No."

Ajit Pawar stressed the fact that NCP has now lost its national party status and is just a regional party now. He pledged to bring back the national party status and also elevate NCP in the Maharashtra assembly to the same level which was in 2004.

Preparations for 2024

Ajit Pawar claimed that there is no one in the scene that can compete against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

He said that it is in NCP's best interests to align with BJP and Shiv Sena's Shinde faction and contest the 2024 elections together.

Ajit Pawar requested his party workers to consider the workers of the other two alliance partners as their own and work in harmony.

Some revelations

Ajit Pawar revealed that in 2014, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had initially proposed an alliance between the BJP and NCP, but the offer was later retracted.

He stated, "During the 2014 election results, Praful Patel had announced that we would extend support to the BJP from outside. We were even asked to attend the swearing-in ceremony at Wankhede Stadium. If we were not meant to join them, then why were we invited to the ceremony? What was the intention behind it?"

He further mentioned, "Prior to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, there was a suggestion for the NCP, Shiv Sena, and BJP to contest together, with each party contesting 16 seats. However, the BJP withdrew from this proposal due to allegations against certain leaders. Though leaders like Nitin Gadkari were interested in the alliance, local BJP leaders had reservations about it."

Another revelation is that in 2017, the NCP had made efforts to form an alliance with the BJP, but the BJP chose to align itself with Shiv Sena instead.

He stated, "Our leaders expressed their reluctance to join hands with Shiv Sena, citing its communal nature. However, in 2019, we were asked to join forces with Shiv Sena. It raises the question: what changed between 2017 and 2019? Why the shift in perspective?"

Discussing the complexities surrounding the government formation in 2019, Ajit Pawar revealed that Sharad Pawar had sent him to attend the early morning swearing-in ceremony.

He stated, "Several meetings were held at the residence of a prominent businessman, attended by senior BJP and NCP leaders. A decision was made, and I was instructed to attend the ceremony. However, later on, everything changed, and we ultimately allied with Shiv Sena."

Ajit further revealed that the decision to form an alliance with the BJP had been made a year ago. He shared, "The meeting had already taken place. All of this occurred before CM Eknath Shinde went to Guwahati. I possess a letter containing the signatures of all the MLAs."

Expressing his aspirations, Ajit stated, "I have received immense love and support from all of you. I have served as Deputy Chief Minister on five occasions, a remarkable achievement. However, I find myself confined to the role of Deputy CM. I also aspire to lead the state and become the Chief Minister." He added that he intends to retain the NCP name and symbol for his endeavors.