Sanjay Raut, a member of parliament for the Shiv Sena (UBT), said on Wednesday that Sharad Pawar, the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, will never work with the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).
Speaking to reporters, Raut said that the nation is anticipating the “auspicious” moment in 2024 when a prime minister of the opposition INDIA coalition would raise the flag at the Red Fort in Delhi.
“I don’t believe Sharad Pawar would work with the BJP while he is still alive. According to the Rajya Sabha member, he is reorganizing his party.
In Maharashtra, the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress are allies of Sharad Pawar’s party.
Politicians were abuzz when Sharad Pawar and his nephew, Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, met at a businessman’s home in Pune on Saturday.
When asked whether Ajit Pawar made Sharad Pawar an offer at the meeting, Raut said, “When did Ajit Pawar become so big to make Sharad Pawar an offer?”
“Ajit Pawar was created by Sharad Pawar. Sharad Pawar has held the position of chief minister of the state for four terms and has held many times as a minister in the Union, according to Raut.
His comments came days after an editorial in the Shiv Sena (UBT) organ ‘Saamana’ said that Sharad Pawar’s nephew’s frequent contacts with Sharad Pawar were damaging the NCP founder’s reputation.
The Marathi newspaper also found it hilarious because Ajit Pawar meets with his uncle regularly and that the latter doesn’t try to avoid it.
Following the meeting in Pune last month, Sharad Pawar and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar dismissed it, claiming that it was not a secret meeting despite requests for Sharad Pawar’s approval from the renegade NCP faction, which is headed by Ajit Pawar.
Tuesday, Sharad Pawar said some party members have chosen a different course, but “once they realize the situation, their stand may change.” Sharad Pawar was speaking in his hometown of Baramati.
He assured a crowd, “We will not stray from the course we have chosen, whether they alter their position or not.
“I’ve encouraged the people in Maharashtra to choose a candidate. Furthermore, I am unable to urge them to support a candidate that we have consistently opposed, Pawar senior said.
