‘Still Here’: Sharad Pawar’s Response To Praful Patel's ‘Was 50% Ready To Ally With BJP’ Remark

Responding to the claim made by Praful Patel, a leader of the rival Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction led by Ajit Pawar on Sharad Pawar being ’50 per cent’ ready to join hands with the BJP last year, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar said he was still with his party and the claim was not true.

“Who went there and who stayed? From the day he is referring till today, what is the situation?…Did I go anywhere? No…,” Pawar said, told news agency ANI on Thursday.

The chief spokesperson for NCP (SP) Mahesh Tapase said that Patel’s remarks were a “deliberate attempt to sow confusion amongst the electorate.” “Sharad Pawar firmly rejected any notion of supporting BJP,  both in principle and action.

Earlier, Praful Patel had claimed that Sharad Pawar was “50 per cent” ready to go with the BJP when his nephew Ajit Pawar took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister in the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government in Maharashtra.

“On 2nd July 2023, when Ajit Pawar and our ministers took oath with Maharashtra government, we met Sharad Pawar on 15th-16th July and requested him to join us. Later, Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar met in Pune. He was also 50 per cent ready…Sharad Pawar always hesitates at the last minute,” Patel was quoted as saying by ANI.

“In 1996, if Pawar saheb had agreed to the suggestions of HD Devegowda, then he could have been the PM. Sharad Pawar could have been PM in 1996 itself if he was not hesitant,” Praful Patel said. NCP (SP) chief spokesperson pointed out that the recent closure of cases exposes the true motives behind Ajit Pawar group’s alignment with BJP, dispelling any notion of genuine developmental intent.

NCP (SP) chief spokesperson pointed out that the recent closure of cases exposes the true motives behind Ajit Pawar group’s alignment with BJP, dispelling any notion of genuine developmental intent.

Tapase said that Ajit Pawar lacks the moral authority to represent NCP, as he has acquired the party name and the ‘clock’ symbol by backstabbing Sharad Pawar.

“Maharashtra’s allegiance remains firmly with Sharad Pawar and his vision for the state’s future. As Maharashtra prepares for upcoming elections, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the people’s welfare, guided by Sharad Pawar’s unwavering leadership,” said Tapase.

NCP-SCP national spokesperson Clyde Crasto said Patel’s statement “is meaningless and of no value” as there is no truth in the statement.