This is an archive article published on July 6, 2023
As 16 show up, Sharad Pawar says let other side be happy, symbol does not decide fate
Addressing party workers at the Y B Chavan Centre, he said: “MLAs come, and can go anywhere. Don't complain. Let them live happily, wherever they are. Till we are together, let’s work to create a new generation of leaders.”
As 16 show up, Sharad Pawar says let other side be happy, symbol does not decide fate
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ASKING PARTY workers not to worry about the MLAs leaving the party, NCP founder and president Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said it was time to create a generation of new leaders. He said that irrespective of whoever was staking claim to the party’s name and symbol, it was not possible to snatch it away.
Addressing party workers at the Y B Chavan Centre, he said: “MLAs come, and can go anywhere. Don’t complain. Let them live happily, wherever they are. Till we are together, let’s work to create a new generation of leaders.”
The show of strength by the Sharad Pawar group was attended by 16 MLAs and office-bearers of the party’s frontal cells. The group collected affidavits from the workers, reposing trust in the leadership of Sharad Pawar and Jayant Patil.
“If someone is claiming that they will take the symbol, let me be clear that it won’t happen. However, I must tell you that I have fought on many symbols… Let me be clear that the symbol is not going anywhere. But the symbol does not decide the fate,” he said.
Pawar pointed out that his photo was being used on posters by the Ajit Pawar group. “Have you seen posters and banners of those people? My photo is the largest. That is because they know that they have nothing else to bank on,” he said.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said: “PM Modi held a rally in Bhopal last week and accused the NCP of corruption adding up to thousands of crores. He mentioned scams in irrigation and the Maharashtra state cooperative bank. The PM usually makes a statement only after taking due information. The one who leads the nation must be careful, and should not make wild allegations. If you really think the NCP is a corrupt party, why did you include the NCP in Sunday’s swearing-in ceremony? It means that these people say anything, without evidence,” he said.
Differentiating between the Hindutva of Shiv Sena and the BJP, Pawar said: “The Hindutva of Shiv Sena is of bringing all castes together, while that of the BJP is divisive, manuvadi and poisonous. The state recently faced communal riots. The one who plays divisive politics cannot be a patriot and we cannot join them.”
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Pawar said the Shiv Sena had joined hands with the Congress after Emergency, and hence the formation of the MVA was not surprising.
He said the NCP did support the BJP in Nagaland. “The Northeast is on the border with China, where political decisions need to be taken with due care. We, therefore, supported the BJP from outside. Unlike in Maharashtra where you are sitting inside,” he said.
Pawar said the current ruling dispensation does not believe in communication. “We are not in power, but we are among the people. Even if we want to solve the problems of the people, lack of communication makes it difficult… We decided to start communication within the Opposition. The moment this happened, the ruling party became uncomfortable,” he said.
Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues.
Expertise
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai.
Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands').
Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including:
State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana).
Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides).
Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits.
Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness
Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects.
Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards.
Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra.
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