Seat-sharing a difficult task for MVA but NCP is practical, says Sunil Tatkare

The future of NCP is good. Sharad Pawar is a towering personality at the national level. When he expressed his view that he wanted to resign as NCP president, reactions came from all over… NCP workers and national leaders of various parties requested him to take back his resignation. Everyone felt that his resignation would leave a vacuum at the national level. Keeping these in mind, he withdrew his resignation, which was a boost for everyone even at the national level.

Soon after Pawar announced his resignation, fissures in the party came forth with the state NCP president Jayant Patil expressing his disappointment at not being invited for a meeting. What does this indicate?

No meeting was called on the next day. Neither from Pawar Saheb, nor from the party. I do not know the reason for such a comment. He can tell better about it. It was surprising for us also… as there was no meeting.

There is one section which believes that it could be a power tussle within the party between Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar that led to Pawar’s decisions… Do you feel there is an element of truth in this?

Not at all. Because Supriya Tai’s performance in the Parliament is extraordinary. Ajit dada has been there in Mumbai. I have been in the party for 24 years and I have never found any differences between Ajit dada and Supriya Tai. She is at the national level, dada is at the state level. Some elements outside the party who think more about us enjoy spreading such rumours about the party since 1999, when it was formed.

If Sharad Pawar has to decide between the two, who do you think will be his choice?

I am a very small person to say anything on this. I am working with both of them but ultimately Pawar Saheb has to decide. Dada has been criticised for long. But due to his hard work and administrative abilities, he is a popular leader in Maharashtra. This is the reason often people outside the party makes him a soft target.

What do you think about the present state of MVA ? Are you happy with the way how the other two parties are making statements against each another?

I feel that all alliance parties should be together instead of making loose comments against one another… without harming the unity especially in the time of crisis. When it comes to editorials in Saamna, Sanjay Raut has to be cautious where parties shouldn’t criticise allies… We cannot always tolerate this type of criticism… Parties benefit from the strength of their alliance partners as well. Every party should be very careful in an alliance. We should try to strengthen MVA as we have to face the Parliament election in 8-9 months.

Will the allies allow you to take a higher position when it comes to seat-sharing? Will Uddhav Thackeray and Congress take a secondary position?

The NCP is practical. We must see the seats that can be won, candidates that can be chosen. We should start the dialogue now because it won’t settle in one round of the meeting. Everyone has their own followings but the equation has changed now because 12 or 13 MPs have gone with Eknath Shinde. We have four MPs and Congress has one. Seat-sharing is a difficult task for all of us for sure. But considering that we have to fight against all these forces, every alliance partner has no option but to take a step behind… But we are sure that the MVA will contest together.

Has NCP accepted Uddhav Thackeray as the leader of the MVA?

No doubt that he (Thackeray) would have been demoralised to an extent after what happened in the Shiv Sena. It was then that Pawar saheb not only stood with him but boosted him as well. I don’t think he is dictating terms to the MVA. We are continuously discussing issues, organising rallies… if some issues come up, that happens in every coalition.

Do you think a communal scenario may be developed in the state?

This is not happening for the first time. It has been going on since the time Advani ji led the Rath Yatra… But Indian democracy is so strong and in a secular state, people vote very wisely.

Will Sharad Pawar lead the third front at the Centre? Will he be PM candidate?

Pawar saheb himself has explained his stance whenever asked this… He knows NCP’s strength in the Lok Sabha is small, which is not even double digit. So he has never claimed himself for the PM’s post. But with his vast knowledge and experience, he is one leader who is acceptable to all. And his political leadership at national level is badly needed now.