The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Sharad Pawar, swiftly rejected recent assertions made by Praful Patel regarding Pawar’s purported readiness to align with the BJP in 2023. Patel, a prominent figure within the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction, claimed on Wednesday that Sharad Pawar was “50% ready” to collaborate with the BJP during a crucial political juncture in 2023.
In response, Mahesh Tapase, the chief spokesperson for NCP (SP), denounced Patel’s remarks as a deliberate attempt to sow confusion among the electorate. “Sharad Pawar firmly rejected any notion of supporting the BJP, both in principle and action,” Tapase affirmed, underscoring Pawar’s unwavering commitment to his political convictions.
Tapase further emphasized that despite Ajit Pawar’s leadership of the NCP faction and the adoption of the party’s name and symbol, the allegiance of the people of Maharashtra remains firmly with Sharad Pawar. “Maharashtra’s allegiance remains firmly with Sharad Pawar and his vision for the state’s future,” Tapase reiterated, asserting the party’s steadfast commitment to the welfare of the people under Pawar’s leadership.
Meanwhile, Clyde Crasto, the national spokesperson for NCP (SP), dismissed Patel’s statements as “meaningless and of no value,” attributing them to attempts to enhance their relevance amidst perceived marginalization by the BJP. Crasto highlighted the BJP’s treatment of the Ajit Pawar group and expressed scepticism about the veracity of Patel’s claims. “If things were supposed to happen, they would’ve happened a long time ago,” Crasto remarked, casting doubt on the timing and credibility of Patel’s assertions.
Patel’s claims, made in an interview with news agency ANI, detailed a purported interaction between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar during the formation of the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government in Maharashtra. According to Patel, Sharad Pawar exhibited hesitancy despite being “50 per cent ready” to align with the BJP. Patel also referenced past instances of Pawar’s hesitancy, suggesting that it may have cost him the opportunity to become Prime Minister in 1996.
In light of the NCP’s swift rebuttal, Patel’s claims remain contested, highlighting the complex political dynamics at play within the NCP and the broader Maharashtra political landscape.
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