In the midst of the NCP’s internal turmoil, veteran Sharad Pawar on Thursday asserted he was the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and will continue to work effectively, regardless of whether he was 82 or 92 years old. Pawar presided over a meeting of the NCP Working Committee, which endorsed his decision to expel Praful Patel, Ajit Pawar, Sunil Tatkare, and eight other MLAs who joined the NDA ranks.
Senior NCP leader PC Chacko announced that the eight-point resolution passed by the Working Committee had been endorsed by 27 State units of the party.
In a display of solidarity, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Pawar at his residence and expressed unwavering support to the NCP during this challenging period.
“This meeting marks the first encounter between a national leader and Pawar since the NCP rebellion on Sunday. Prominent Opposition leaders such as Sonia Gandhi, MK Stalin, Mamata Banerjee, and others have reached out to Pawar, expressing their solidarity,” said a statement issued on behalf of Rahul Gandhi.
Addressing questions about age-based criticism from Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar responded, “There is no question of stopping. Regardless of whether I am 82 or 92, I will work more effectively.”
He emphatically affirmed his position as the president of the NCP and said the truth regarding Ajit’s claim of having the majority would come to light in due course.
During the media briefing, Chacko highlighted that the meeting resulted in the passage of eight resolutions. Chacko reiterated the party’s unwavering support for Pawar, stating, “The organisation stands united behind Sharad Pawar. The NCP Working Committee has approved the decision to expel Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, and nine others who aligned themselves with the NDA. We do not take the claims of anyone else being the national president seriously. Our organisation remains intact, and our loyalty lies with Sharad Pawar.”
Pawar expressed concern over the Central Government’s alleged use of investigative agencies such as the ED and CBI to weaken the Opposition. However, he remained optimistic, stating, “Approximately 11 months remain for this government’s tenure. We will face elections, and the situation will change. Our top priority will then be to implement the necessary changes.”
When questioned about the Election Commission’s role in the ongoing dispute over the NCP’s leadership and party symbol, Pawar conveyed his confidence in the institution.
“We have complete faith in the Election Commission. We will approach them with our concerns, as we are clear about the legal position. If any adverse circumstances arise, we will seek recourse through the appropriate authorities. However, I do not anticipate the situation escalating to that extent,” Pawar said.
After the meeting, Pawar expressed his appreciation for the unwavering resolve and high morale displayed by his colleagues, as they work towards rebuilding the party with renewed determination.
Dismissing notions that the NCP’s strength has diminished following the rebellion, Sharad firmly stated, “Diminished? What do you mean by that? Party members leaving is not uncommon in other political parties. We will rebuild our party.”
Responding to questions raised by the Ajit faction regarding the legality of the Working Committee meeting, Sharad said, “This meeting has been conducted in accordance with the Constitution. Any claims made to the contrary hold no truth or significance.”
