Senior BJP Leader Insists Ajit Pawar Must Accept Savarkar’s Ideology

Shelar said the BJP was prepared to go it alone — or even oppose the NCP — if ideological differences persisted.

“We are followers of V.D. Savarkar and walk in his footsteps. The NCP is part of the Mahayuti and therefore must also accept Savarkar’s thoughts. Our ideology is clear. If you want to come with us, we are ready to accept you, but our thinking must also be accepted. If they are not ready for it, then we are prepared for that as well,” he said.

The BJP is contesting the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporation elections against Ajit Pawar’s NCP, which has allied with the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) in the two civic bodies. The campaign has seen sharp exchanges between leaders of the two parties.

Sharad Pawar has described the BJP as “the most corrupt party” and “power-hungry”. BJP leaders, including state party president Ravindra Chavan, have warned that the party would respond in kind if the attacks continued.

Referring to Ravindra Chavan’s earlier remarks, Shelar said, “If you (Ajit Pawar) come with us, we will work together. If you don’t, we will continue our work. And if you oppose us, we will oppose you. But our work will go on.”

Reacting to Shelar’s comments, NCP leader Amol Mitkari accused him of attempting to impose the BJP’s ideology on its allies. “Ashish Shelar ji is insisting that Ajit Pawar and his party must follow the BJP’s ideals. Only he knows how much truth there is in this. We were, are, and will remain committed to the Shiv–Shahu–Phule–Ambedkar movement,” Mitkari said in a post on X. “Even if we do not accept the ideology you expect, it is an undeniable truth that you will have to accept our Ambedkarite ideology, even unwillingly. Jay Shivaray, Jai Bhim,” he added.

Seeking to play down the rift, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Ajit Pawar had never opposed Savarkar’s ideology. “To my knowledge, Ajit Pawar has never opposed Savarkar’s thinking, nor is there any reason for him to do so. We are committed to our ideology and will not compromise on it,” he said.