Decision to ally with BJP & Sena is without any intent to humiliate, hurt or backstab anyone but with vow to elevate standard of living of people

Claims his entry into active politics was a sheer accident, announces to work for greater good of the people Maharashtra

Sanjay Jog

Under attack from opposition and being trolled in social media for his decision to severe links with his uncle Sharad Pawar and the NCP formed by him to join hands with BJP and Shiv Sena, the deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar chose to clarify his stand through a letter addressed to the citizens of Maharashtra especially in the run up to the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Strongly justifying his decision to part ways with Sharad Pawar and NCP, Ajit Pawar said,’’My decision to ally with BJP and Shiv Sena is without any intent to humiliate, hurt or backstab anyone. It is rooted in a determination to elevate the quality and standard of living for the people of Maharashtra ensuring improved amenities and infrastructure across the state.’’?

He further stated that ‘’The progressive development witnessed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah stands equally important to me as a citizen of this country. Their determined leadership and strong decision making resonate deeply with me.’’ He urged the critics and citizens in general not to merely criticise him for his decision but look at the NCP’s roadmap for development. ‘’I urge naysayers to look at the development vision and progressive blueprint of the NCP (led by him) instead of resorting to hateful commentary.’’

‘’With the blessings of Maharashtra, I am to continue my work for the greater good of the people, connecting deeply with the grassroots and seeking the support of both the young and old alike,’’ said Ajit Pawar.

The timing of his move to pen a letter comes at a time when it is quite certain that his wife Sunetra Pawar will be pitted against his cousin Supriya Sule in Baramati which has been a pocket borough of Pawars. Besides, he chose to clear his migration when the fight between him and uncle is expected to be more bitter and fierce not just in the Lok Sabha polls but also in the state assembly elections. Incidentally, both Pawar senior and Ajit Pawar have ruled out the possibility of a patch up unlike last time when Ajit Pawar returned to NCP after an early morning swearing in as DCM with Devendra Fadnavis as the Chief Minister in November 2019.

Furthermore, Ajit Pawar said,’’With immense respect for senior leaders, humility towards colleagues and a commitment to nurturing younger leadership, I have always envisioned working collectively for a larger goal of progressive climb ahead. My transparent stand is without any intention to hurt or humiliate anyone.’’

‘’Having experienced both governance and opposition roles, I have come to understand the importance of holding power to ensure the welfare of the people and the state. From day one, I prioritised development and progressive ascent above mere politics. This focus guided me then, now and will continue to do so in all my future endeavours.’’

Responding to the attack from Sharad Pawar led party and opposition for quitting NCP despite giving several posts in the government and in the politically crucial Cooperative sector over the years, Ajit Pawar claimed that his entry into politics was a sheer accident without giving any credit to his uncle. ‘’I commenced my political career in earnest in the year 19991. The circumstances surrounding my entry into politics have been discussed at length. It was a sheer accident that I was given this opportunity. There was a vacuum of young leadership in the party and I was entrusted with this responsibility,’’he opined.

Meanwhile, the NCP Sharadchandra Pawar spokesperson Mahesh Tapase took a swipe at Ajit Pawar saying that he could not show the courage to write in the letter that after joining politics, he got the position of MP, MLA, Minister, Deputy Chief Minister several times because of his uncle Sharad Pawar.

‘’His statement that if he wants to work as a representative of the people, he needs to have power is completely wrong. If this was true then the two MPs elected from BJP in the 1984 election including AK Patel and Janga Reddy would have supported the Congress party and would have written a similar statement as done by you. But it did not happen and many small and big parties are still working in opposition across the country,’’said Tapase.?

‘’You have given the reason that even Maharashtra will not agree that you have joined power for the good of the people. You should have stood shoulder to shoulder with Sharad Pawar when he is performing the arduous duty of protecting the Constitution. However, you forgot this duty,’’he commented.