Beed rally: Time has come to put ‘wrong’ people in place, says Sharad Pawar

Pawar has repeatedly said that he will not join hands with the BJP despite many seniors from his party joining the state government. His recent meeting with Ajit has caused a stir in state politics with NCP allies Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) demanding that he clarify his position to avoid confusion in the minds of workers and people of the state.

This was the second rally by Pawar after the rebellion by Ajit with the first being in senior minister Chhagan Bhujbal’s constituency Yeola in Nashik in North Maharashtra. Sources said that Pawar will hold the next public rally in Manchar in Pune district which is the constituency of another senior minister Dilip Walse-Patil.

In his quintessential style of launching mild attacks and taunts at his opponents, Pawar chose to not directly name Ajit or any of the other leaders. The NCP president made an emotional pitch instead: playing the victim card. The crowd, mostly comprised of youngsters and women, were waiting for over five hours since 12 pm and welcomed Pawar with loud cheers and slogans.

“You can go to any place you want. You are free to do so. But remember to show humility towards those who have given you at least a little bit ever in your life,” Pawar said.

The rally organised by local NCP MLA Sandeep Kshirsagar was attended by over 20,000 people. Kshirsagar is the only MLA out of four from Beed district who has chosen to remain with Pawar instead of joining hands with Ajit. The first-time MLA and grandson of former Beed MP late Kesharkaku Kshirsagar entered the rally stage with another first-time MLA and grandnephew of Pawar, Rohit Pawar. The entry of both the young leaders was also welcomed amid huge applause by the audience.

Pramod Naikwade, 40, from Beed, who attended the rally, said that he was there to extend support to Pawar as he did not like him being targeted by Ajit for the sake of power. Gajanan Hande, 20, a student, said that young leaders like Rohit Pawar were supporting Pawar against all odds.

Earlier, NCP state chief Jayant Patil said that the state has never witnessed the politics of vengeance ever before as is being seen now. Pawar too claimed that ruling side has been using the agencies to bring down elected governments. “Time has come to control wrong people. Power is being misused to arrest people but when people unite such power can be dethroned. Now we are not going backtrack on we started,” Pawar said.

Speakers at the rally took note of the lively crowd and response to Pawar. Rohit Pawar, who was originally not scheduled to speak, was asked by Patil to address the crowd. “We have learned in our childhood that Maharashtra’s Sahyadri never surrendered in front of Delhi. It is the responsibility of ours to support him (Sharad Pawar) and stand with him,” said Rohit, adding that he gives the word that he will neither be scared nor surrender.

NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad said that many a times things take such a turn which turn out good. “This has brought good to us as those who wouldn’t have got chance to become leader have become one now,” Awhad said. He added that Pawar till now has worked on the principle of taking opponents by bull’s horn. “We all are disciples of him and will do the same, ” he said.

Taking a dig at those from the opposition who mentioned Pawar’s old age and the need to change sides because of that, the 82-year-old leader said that “if you are talking about my age, then you haven’t seen anything of me”.

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks during his speech on Independence Day where he said that he will return as Prime Minister next year as well, Pawar taunted him saying Modi should take a few lessons from Devendra Fadnavis. “When Fadnavis was the Chief Minister, he had claimed that he will return to the post. Now he is at a position much lower than the previous. Is Modi also planning the same?”

The speakers at the rally targeted the state and central governments echoing that the NCP is being targeted as Pawar has been working to bring together all opposition parties in the country.

Earlier, former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh challenged the present government reaclling his 14 months in Arthur Road Jail. “I spent 14 months in Arthur Road Jail and I was told to compromise. When I declined, I was put inside. For fourteen months I spent in jail and now nobody can stop me. The 2024 poll will be fought as MVA and we are coming to power for sure, ” he said.