No tie-up with BJP allies, clarifies Sharad Pawar amid reunion buzz

Amid renewed speculation over a possible patch-up with the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Sharad Pawar on Tuesday dismissed any such move, warning against aligning with those he described as indulging in 'opportunistic politics' by joining hands with the BJP.

- Yogesh Joshi

[e-mail] PUNE: Amid renewed speculation over a possible patch-up with the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Sharad Pawar on Tuesday dismissed any such move, warning against aligning with those he described as indulging in 'opportunistic politics' by joining hands with the BJP.

Speaking at a gathering of Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) workers in Pimpri-Chinchwad, the octogenarian leader issued a clear but indirect rebuke to his own partymen as well as those from his nephew Ajit Pawar-led party.

Without naming him, Pawar senior said those who abandoned the party to share power with the BJP had moved away from the ideological foundation laid by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Jyotirao Phule, and B.R. Ambedkar.

"There's talk of taking everyone along. But who is everyone?" Pawar asked.

"I am willing to work with those who uphold the values of Gandhi, Nehru, Phule, and Ambedkar. But aligning with the BJP for the sake of power is not in line with that ideology."

The remarks come at a time when rumours of a reunion between the two NCP factions have gained momentum, following several public appearances and meetings between the uncle-nephew duo.

However, Sharad Pawar's pointed comments have made it clear that reconciliation was not on the cards, at least for now, when local body polls in 29 Municipal Corporations and several Councils are just a few months away.

When asked for his reaction to Pawar's statement, Ajit Pawar offered a non-committal response, saying only, "Everyone has the right to express their opinion." Last week, speaking at the party's 26th Foundation Day event in Pune, Ajit Pawar had avoided giving a definitive answer on the merger issue, saying such decisions are taken by top leaders, not by party workers or junior leaders.

State NCP chief Sunil Tatkare, however, was more categorical at that time.