In the wake of Ajit Pawar’s departure from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to align with the BJP, Sharad Pawar, the party’s esteemed patron, is resolute in upholding unity within the NCP. Despite the divergence in their political paths, Sharad Pawar emphasizes that there is no conflict between himself and his nephew, Ajit Pawar, asserting that Ajit remains a leader within the NCP fold.
Addressing Assertions: Denying any significant party split and disavowing the notion of a fundamental conflict, Sharad Pawar clarifies the dynamics at play. He notes that a true split occurs when a substantial faction separates from the party on a national scale. In the present context, there is no such situation within the NCP, according to Sharad Pawar’s statements in Baramati.
Democratic Expression: Acknowledging the right of individuals to voice their differing perspectives in a democracy, Sharad Pawar elucidates that while some party members adopted distinct stances, this divergence cannot be classified as a true split. He underscores that within a democratic framework, divergent viewpoints are a natural part of the discourse.
Enforcement Directorate Investigations: During an event in Pune on August 20, Sharad Pawar highlighted the situation surrounding certain NCP leaders who aligned with the Ajit Pawar faction, which subsequently joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government. He noted that some of these leaders were under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Defending Ideals: Drawing attention to former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, Sharad Pawar commended his principled stance. Despite the offer to shift allegiances to avoid investigation, Deshmukh chose to stand firm and unyielding, asserting his innocence and remaining true to his ideology.
Pressure and Allegations: Sharad Pawar shed light on the circumstances surrounding some NCP members’ decision to join forces with the BJP. Alleging external pressures and threats from investigative agencies, he suggested that these individuals were compelled to align with the BJP camp. It was purportedly communicated that aligning with the BJP would lead to leniency in their legal cases, while resisting this move would result in dire consequences.
