In a sharp critique of the ruling Mahayuti government and particularly Cabinet Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, NCP founder Sharad Pawar accused the government of excluding the opposition from initial stages of the Maratha agitation and now unfairly blaming them for the unrest.
During a media briefing in Pune, Pawar also expressed disappointment with the Congress party, highlighting instances of cross-voting in the recent Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) polls, which he attributed to a lack of coordination within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
?This is the first time Sharad Pawar has openly expressed his disappointment with his alliance partners post-Lok Sabha polls,? an observer noted. ?It seems to be a strategic move to pressure the state Congress leadership ahead of the seat-sharing talks for the upcoming assembly polls.?
Cross-Voting Concerns
Pawar's grievances stem from the MLC polls, where Jayant Patil, the candidate supported by Pawar, lost due to cross-voting by MVA members. Reports suggest that up to seven Congress votes may have gone to the ruling Mahayuti.
?We had expected some Congress votes would go to Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Milind Narvekar and others to Jayant Patil of the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), whom we supported. But the Congress failed to ensure this vote transfer to Patil. We are disappointed. They must find out what happened,? Pawar stated.
Inside the NCP, there is speculation that Pawar is positioning himself to dominate the seat-sharing negotiations, especially in western Maharashtra, where NCP (SCP) holds significant influence.
Also Read: Will BJP?s Alliance Shift Spell Trouble In Maharashtra? Insights from RSS-linked Survey
Strategic Criticism
Pawar?s recent statements are perceived as an attempt to expose the disarray within the Maharashtra Congress, suggesting that the state party's leadership is unable to manage internal conflicts, as evidenced by the cross-voting incident. Analysts believe Pawar aims to compel Rahul Gandhi to intervene and assert control over the state leadership, potentially allowing Pawar greater influence in the upcoming assembly elections.
Maratha Agitation Handling
Pawar also targeted the BJP-led Mahayuti government over its handling of the Maratha agitation. He criticized the government for excluding the opposition from early discussions and only seeking their involvement after failing to resolve the issue, thus creating tension across the state.
?The agitation restarted last year. The state government sent various delegations to discuss solutions with agitators. The state sought to create the impression that it had found a solution. There was a celebration. All along, the opposition was never included in the process. No opposition leader was invited to any talks. Now that the government has discovered that its solution has not worked and there is tension in parts of the state, at this point, it wants the opposition to get involved. Cabinet Minister Chhagan Bhujbal met me and said I should take the initiative to convince the agitators. Why has the government thought of involving us at the last minute, like this. Why should we now be held responsible for the tension in some parts of the state?? Pawar asked.
