Will stick to Congress ideology, not align with those who embraced BJP to gain power: Sharad Pawar
Speculations have been rife about the two NCP factions coming together after Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar met several times in Pune
Taking a jibe at Ajit, Sharad Pawar said, “We cannot join hands with those who are opportunistic.” (Express photo) 
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NCP SP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday emphasised that his party will not be associated with ‘”those who have aligned with BJP,'” putting to rest speculations about the possible merger or joining hands with Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
”We cannot align with those who have joined hands with BJP. We will take along only those who believe in the ideology of Gandhi, Shahu, Phule and Ambedkar,” Pawar said while addressing a party rally in Pimpri-Chinchwad area.
Taking a jibe at his nephew, Sharad Pawar said, ‘Some people have joined hands with BJP just for the sake of power…I can never accept anyone who indulged in politics of opportunism.”
”If anyone talks about aligning with the BJP for the sake of power, his thought does not match with ours. If someone is going with BJP, then it is not Congress ideology. You can align with anyone but joining hands with BJP does not fit in Congress ideology. I do not want to encourage politics of opportunism,” said Pawar.
His remarks came even as 38 former corporators, including those from BJP, joined the Ajit Pawar-led NCP at an event in Bhosari area of Pimpri-Chinchwad on Tuesday. Several of the former corporators, who were with Sharad Pawar’s party, also joined the NCP. Ajit Pawar himself welcomed the new entrants on Tuesday.
Sharad Pawar asserted that only those who believe in the ideology of Gandhi-Nehru and Phule-Ambedkar would be taken along. ”Before I spoke, someone here just mentioned that we need to take everyone along. There is no problem taking everyone along, but who is everyone? I am willing to take along individuals who subscribe to the ideology of Gandhi-Nehru, Phule and Ambedkar,” he said.
”However, if someone is going with the BJP for power, then it is not the ideology of Congress. One may align with anyone but siding with BJP cannot be in sync with the Congress ideology,” said the veteran politician.
Sharad Pawar urged party workers to gear up for the upcoming civic elections without worrying about those leaving the party. ”Such things have happened in the past as well.. We should trust the political wisdom of the common man. Democracy in India is alive because of the collective conscience of the comman man and not because of the politicians,” he said.
The senior Pawar’s statement evoked mixed responses from politicians cutting across party lines. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said, “Everyone has the right to articulate their views.”
BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said, “The statement is important. It will remove the confusion among workers of political parties. Pawar is an experienced leader. He knows exactly what to say and when to say it.”
Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat said,”Sharad Pawar is not a politician who has walked on a straight path…”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said, ”We are fully confident that he will never deviate from his ideology. He believes in the ideology of Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar and Prabodhankar Thackeray. He will never join hands with those who have aligned with the BJP.”
Speculations have been rife over the last month about the two NCP factions coming together. Both Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar have met several times at different events in Pune. They have reportedly also held closed-door talks.
Sharad Pawar had, in fact, left the decision about joining hands with the NCP to his daughter and Baramati MP Supriya Sule. He had asked Sule to discuss the issue with party MLAs, MPs and workers.
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