Sharad Pawar unhappy with NCP’s ways

Sharad Pawar wants Nationalist Congress Party leaders to get aggressive over BJP’s failure in tackling drought in Maharashtra

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday expressed his displeasure over his party’s handling of issues such as the legislative council elections, where local leaders worked against the Congress candidates, and the arrest of party corporators in Thane in connection with a builder’s suicide, at a high-level meeting of party leaders at the YB Chavan Centre.

Cricketer Madhavrao Apte, MCA President Sharad Pawar felicitate Pranav Dhanawade, who scored 1,009 runs in an inter-school cricket match, on behalf of Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). Former cricketer, Pravin Amre was also present at the function. (BHUSHAN KOYANDE)

The party has decided to get aggressive over the Devendra Fadnavis-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s alleged failure in reducing the hardships of farmers suffering from drought and crop loss. Senior NCP leaders will chalk out a strategy in a meet next week.

According to sources, the NCP chief was unhappy with the loss of party’s Solapur candidate Deepak Salunkhe in the council elections. “Pawar was of the view that the loss was a reaction to the party’s strategy to give tacit support to party’s rebel candidate Prasad Lad against Congress candidate Bhai Jagtap in Mumbai,” said a senior NCP leader, requesting anonymity.

Read: Congress’ future looks uncertain, says Sharad Pawar

Pawar indicated that NCP’s poor strategy in supporting rebel candidate (Prasad Lad) to give a blow to its alliance partner Congress in the polls had eventually failed. The Congress not only succeeded in retaining the Mumbai seat, but also, in retaliation, managed to defeat NCP’s Solapur candidate, he pointed out.

“Pawar seemed to be in favour of supporting the corporators from the party who have been arrested in the Suraj Parmar suicide case. He said the party should rethink its strategies,” sources said.

Elaborating on the meet, state NCP president Sunil Tatkare said the party will take on the government over its failure on drought mitigation. “We will take up the issue as there is no water left in Marathwada region. The days to come will be very serious for them,” Tatkare said.

He said senior party leaders will soon hold a meeting to decide on its plans for taking up the cause.