Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday made it clear that he is not interested in becoming the chairperson of United Progressive Alliance (UPA). However, Pawar also added that he is ready to help in uniting the Opposition. Talking to media persons in Kolhapur, Pawar said that some of his party’s youth wing workers recently passed a resolution to make him the chairperson of UPA, but he has zero interest in it. Pawar also asserted that any alternative to BJP needs Congress’s inclusion. Earlier Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut had opined that NCP chief should lead UPA to counter BJP.
Key Points |
1. “I am not going to take responsibility for leading the front. I have zero interest in it, however, if efforts are made in this regard (uniting all opposition parties), then I’m ready to support, help and cooperate,” the NCP chief said in Kolhapur on Sunday morning.
2. Emphasising the need for including Congress in forming a strong united opposition against BJP, Pawar said that when people say opposition parties should come together then the facts cannot be ignored. "Mamata Banerjee’s party (TMC) is very strong in West Bengal and has people’s support, Others also have their own power centres in their respective states, but the Congress is the only party that has pan India presence. Even though they might not be in power, Congress workers can be found in every district and village," he added.
3. NCP chief also said that he agrees with the Minister of Road, Transport and Highways of India, Nitin Gadkari, on the need for Congress to be a strong opposition party.
4. “To strengthen the parliamentary democracy, it is necessary to have a strong opposition, but if we talk only about one party, then we may (end up having another Vladimir) Putin (in India). Today Putin and China (leadership) have passed resolutions that their regime will continue until their death, so we need a strong opposition to ensure we don’t have a Putin,” Pawar said.
5. Sharad Pawar also attacked BJP for creating a religious divide for its political gains, and termed it as dangerous for the country.
