Pune (Maharashtra): Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar on Sunday said he was not worried about what transpired but a decision has to be taken on those who violated the party line and joined the Eknath Shinde government, indicating that action would be taken against Ajit Pawar and other leaders who became part of the ruling dispensation.
Senior Pawar has convened a meeting on July 5 in Mumbai to discuss the developments and the future course of action, its state unit chief Jayant Patil said on Sunday. In a surprising move, Ajit Pawar took oath as the deputy chief minister, while eight MLAs of his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) took oath as ministers in the government led by the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) earlier in the day. Addressing a press conference here, Sharad Pawar said his endeavour after this development would be to travel as much as possible within state and the country, and build relations with people.
Pawar said he would not fight over anyone saying anything by taking the NCP's name, but would go to people instead. "Those who violated the party line and took oath, a decision has to be taken on them," he said. He said some party leaders were nervous about probes by the Enforcement Directorate and named Ajit Pawar, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse-Patil, Hasan Mushrif.
"Today's episode (on his party MLAs joining the Shinde government) may be new for others, but not for me," he said. Pawar said he was not bothered that people have left, but he was worried about their future. "I will never say that my home has split, this issue is not regarding my home, this is the issue of people. I am worried about the future of those who left. I want to give the credit for this to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Two days ago, he had made statements and after that statement, some people started feeling uneasy, some of them were also facing Enforcement Directorate actions," Sharad Pawar told reporters here.
"Two days ago the Prime Minister had said about NCP. He had said two things in his statement that NCP is a finished party. He mentioned irrigation complaint and allegations of corruption. I am happy that some of my colleagues have taken the oath. From this (joining the NDA government), it is clear that all the charges have been cleared. I am thankful to him," said Sharad Pawar taking a dig at the rebel leaders.
"Some of my colleagues have taken a different stand. I had called a meeting of all the leaders on July 6, where some important issue was to be discussed and some changes were to be made within the party but before that meeting, some of the leaders have taken a different stand," added 82-year-old Pawar.
"I trust the people of Maharashtra and the reality will come out in two-three days. This is not a new thing (for me). The party I was leading in 1980 had 58 MLAs, later all left and only 6 MLAs left, but I strengthened the numbers and those who left me lost in their constituencies," said the former Union Minister.
"I am receiving several calls from a lot of people, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and others have called me. Tomorrow, I will take the blessings of (former Maharashtra Chief Minister) Yashwantrao Chavan and will hold a public meeting. My endeavour will be to travel as much as I can within state and country and build relations with people," added Sharad Pawar. He also said that the developments on Sunday will not hamper the Opposition unity.
NCP to hold meeting on July 5
Sharad Pawar has convened a meeting on July 5 in Mumbai to discuss the developments and the future course of action, its state unit chief Jayant Patil said on Sunday. Talking to reporters, Patil said the meeting will be held at 1 pm on Wednesday at the Y B Chavan Centre in south Mumbai.
"NCP as a party doesn't support the Eknath Shinde-BJP government. Many of the MLAs who have signed the letter of support to the government, called me saying that they were confused and will always back Sharad Pawar," he said. He said some leaders in the party would often demand that the party go with the BJP, but the party's top leadership never approved of it, he said.
He said the nine NCP leaders have taken oath as ministers going against the party's ideals. "As of now, nine of our party MLAs have become ministers . Others had gone to witness the swearing-in," Patil said. Ajit Pawar has the support of more than 40 MLAs and over six MLCs of his party, sources claimed citing a letter submitted to the Raj Bhavan. The party has 53 MLAs and nine MLCs.
Also read: CM Shinde welcomes Ajit Pawar, says Maharashtra govt now 'triple engine'
