Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar has firmly stated that individuals aligning themselves with the BJP do not constitute part of the NCP faction led by him.
Sharad Pawar is scheduled to present his viewpoint to the Election Commission of India (ECI) during a hearing related to the party’s split, set to take place in New Delhi on October 6. Addressing the media, he emphasized, “The people of Maharashtra and the entire nation are aware of who founded the NCP.”
Furthermore, he expressed that there is a growing desire for change, which will become evident in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He emphasized the importance of public sentiment, stating, “What matters is the perspective of the common man. Some individuals have chosen a different political path, and I respect their right to do so in a democratic society. However, the people of Maharashtra and the rest of the country are aware of the NCP’s founder. There is truth in what my colleagues are saying – the situation is favorable for us.”
Pawar firmly asserted, “Those who have aligned with the BJP cannot be considered part of the NCP. We do not accept compromises of this nature.” Regarding the INDIA alliance’s future plans, he mentioned that decisions would be finalized in the next two days.
The NCP, founded by Sharad Pawar, experienced a split on July 2 when Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs joined the Ejnath Shinde government in Maharashtra. Following the division, both factions approached the ECI regarding the party’s name and symbol.
Supriya Sule, an NCP MP, dismissed claims of internal discord within the NCP. She stressed that there is no question of the party symbol being relinquished and highlighted that the party was established by senior leader Sharad Pawar. Sule emphasized, “There is no internal strife within the NCP… The party was founded by Sharad Pawar 25 years ago… From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, everyone recognizes that NCP means Sharad Pawar. Sharad Pawar is the national president of NCP, and Jayant Patil is the president of the Maharashtra state unit. There is no doubt that the symbol should remain with him; the party was created by Sharad Pawar, so the symbol naturally belongs to him.”
