Pawar: NCP (SP) will not align with those who joined BJP for power

Pune: NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday ruled out any possibility of an alliance with BJP or parties aligned with it, including Ajit Pawar-led NCP, for the upcoming civic elections.
Addressing party workers in Pimpri Chinchwad, Pawar said NCP (SP) would align only with those who follow the ideology of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Shahu Maharaj and Jyotiba Phule. Without mentioning his nephew Ajit Pawar, he said the party would not go with those who joined the BJP-led govt for power.
"Somebody mentioned in the speech that we should take everyone along. I agree — if by 'everyone' you mean those who follow the ideology of Gandhi, Nehru, Yashwantrao Chavan and Phule-Shahu.
But if you are saying that one should go with BJP for power, then that does not align with the ideology of Congress. You can maintain relations with anyone, but aligning with BJP is not acceptable. We will not promote politics of opportunism and take steps towards that direction," Pawar said.
NCP chief Ajit Pawar refused to react to Pawar's statement. "Everyone has the freedom to express his/her opinion," he said.
Senior Pawar said many people raised concerns about the future of the party after the split, but young leaders came forward and NCP (SP) remained strong.
"Some people have left the party and some new faces are joining. Do not worry about those who have left. In my political career, I witnessed similar developments on multiple occasions," he said, referring to the situation he faced in 1980.
Pawar was the chief minister of Maharashtra then. All elected MLAs from his party, except six, had defected, leading to collapse of the government.
The NCP (SP) chief said his party would give opportunities to more new faces in the upcoming civic elections.
"We will contest all seats. If anyone wants to join us and accept the ideology we follow with an aim to work for the development of Pimpri Chinchwad, the party leadership will take a decision on it," he said.
Pawar said the development of Pimpri Chinchwad happened when the parties that follow Nehru and Gandhi's ideology were in power. He said people with the same ideology must come to power in the municipal corporation for further development of the city.
He said India's democracy thrived not because of a few leaders like him but because of the unity and resilience of its common people.

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