NCP(SP) Leader Alleges ‘Invisible Forces’ Behind Ajit Pawar’s Exit
In his tribute to Ajit Pawar published in the Rashtrawadi monthly magazine, Shinde claimed that after the merger process was completed, it was decided to hand over all the party’s reigns to Ajit Dada.
Mumbai: In a sensational claim, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) state chief Shashikant Shinde has said that late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was forced to exit the original NCP due to threats and conspiracies orchestrated by ‘invisible powers.’ He also claimed that Ajit Pawar was keen on merger of both NCP factions and the Sharad Pawar group was prepared to hand over the party’s entire leadership to him after the merger.
In his tribute to Ajit Pawar published in the Rashtrawadi monthly magazine, Shinde claimed that after the merger process was completed, it was decided to hand over all the party’s reigns to Ajit Dada. “We were all mentally prepared to accept Dada’s leadership. However, destiny had something else in mind,” he added.
“The dream of seeing both sides of the party come together under Ajitdada's leadership remains unfulfilled due to the intervention of fate. I urge party leaders and workers to honour Ajitdada’s memory. The incomplete work should be completed by doing the unification process. If this happens, then it would be a sincere tribute to Ajit Pawar and will also strengthen both the NCPs,” Shinde said.
He alleged that manipulations, threats and a web of false allegations by ‘invisible forces’ compelled Ajit Pawar to join hands with the BJP and the latter had decided to “correct past mistakes.|
Objecting to his statements, Sunil Tatkare, the state president of Ajit Pawar’s NCP, asked Shinde not to make false claims. “Ajitdada always wanted to align with the BJP since 2014, as he felt the BJP and NCP could provide political stability and good governance. And he had made this clear to the NCP leadership on several occasions,” he said.
Dada had taken the decision (to join hands with the BJP) on his own, there was no pressure from anyone. While joining the NDA, we had taken the decision by taking the main party, BJP, into confidence. Currently, the NCP is a strong constituent of the NDA and it will remain a part of the NDA in the future as well, Tatkare added.
