Sharad Pawar rejects merger with Ajit Pawar’s NCP, slams opportunism, and rules out ties with BJP. Emphasizes ideology, grassroots rebuilding, and people’s wisdom as the foundation of democratic politics.
Pimpri-Chinchwad, June 17: Amid growing speculation about a possible reunion between NCP factions led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, the senior leader has now drawn a clear line. At a party meeting in Pimpri-Chinchwad, former Union Minister Sharad Pawar decisively shut down all talks of rapprochement, stating firmly, “We will not go with opportunists.”
In recent days, both leaders had made ambiguous and overlapping statements, fueling discussions of reconciliation. But Pawar Sr.’s latest remarks leave no room for doubt—there will be no merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party.
Sharad Pawar emphasized ideological clarity in his speech, rejecting any possibility of aligning with the BJP. “Who do we take along? Those who follow the path of Gandhi, Nehru, Phule, Shahu, and Ambedkar. But not those who are ready to bow for power,” he said. “The Congress never stood for joining hands with the BJP. We must not promote the politics of convenience.”
He stressed that unity without shared values is meaningless. “We need an organization that functions with one vision, and the NCP can offer that kind of clarity and direction.”
Pawar also urged the need to strengthen the organization from the grassroots. “Elections come and go, but it’s the structure and vision that matter. We need new leadership—youth-driven, development-oriented, and people-focused,” he declared.
Commenting on recent desertions from the party, he remained unfazed: “Some have left, some are joining. Don’t worry about who goes. Focus on those who are coming in and those who are staying committed.”
In a reflective moment, Pawar shared a personal political anecdote from 1980: “After becoming Chief Minister in 1978, my government was dismissed. In the next election, 70 of our MLAs were elected. But when I went to England for ten days, 64 out of 70 MLAs left. I didn’t panic. We rebuilt. Five years later, most of those deserters lost, and our party rose again.”
Ending on a powerful note, he said, “Don’t be anxious about leaders who switch sides. Democracy survives not because of leaders but because of the wisdom and unity of common people. We must trust the collective wisdom of the people.”
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