Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Ajit Pawar said that the primary goal is to implement the Mahayuti alliance in power with the majority, further on they will decide on the Chief Minister. “But one thing is for sure— the position of Chief Minister will be held by one of the coalition’s members.” He stressed.
Mr Pawar was campaigning in Baramati, the family bastion, as a part of ‘Jan Sanman Yatra’, about an outreach programme across the state for the welfare of women, youth, farmers, and minorities, and told The Hindu that he was smart enough not to abuse anyone, not only his uncle and NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar.
Ever since he revolted against the octogenarian Maratha strongman and joined the BJP-led NDA during July last, the five time Deputy C.M whom 10 State budgets were presented also claimed that his party is ready to take its fight in the next Assembly elections, in which more than 60 seats will be vying for them.
Nonetheless, he had to be circumspect about his former relationship which pertains to him at present with Mr. Sharad Pawar as well as Supriya Sule since he did not want to over disclose the personal or political relations between them.
Edited excerpts:
What is the ‘Jan Sanman Yatra’ all about, and the reason for the campaign theme colour being pink? This appears to be an unreasonable change in your appearance, as has been the case with leaders from the opposition.
We call ourselves Jan Sevaks. Some of you may wish to call themselves Pradhan Sevak, but as for me, nothing beats Jan Sevak. The main objective of this yatra is to pay regards to the people of Maharashtra and also to apprise them of or market some of the new initiatives that we have recently launched like the financial assistance scheme of 1,500 rupees Being Majhi Ladki Bahin, empowering women under this initiative and the free power. It is about making the people understand the newly launched initiatives that we have undertaken. It has been fantastic, and I expect the total number of beneficiaries for the financial assistance scheme, which today contains over 1.60 crore women will cross the mark of 2 crore in the coming years.
As for the pink color, why would anyone else. Its a color that excites the woman, which is why most of our schemes this time round are women oriented. Similarly, I have also modified my strategy. Today I carry the burden of the party, which used to be with Pawar saheb (referring to his uncle – Sharad Pawar). Evolution of oneself in terms of behavior and working style is gradual and natural on gaining such elevation in responsibilities.
Do you consider that the Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme will have anything to do with the forthcoming Assembly polls?
The Opposition in fact dares to say that the scheme was made public because your ruling coalition was humiliated in Lok Sabha elections.
We are not saints. All governments go on saying how many schemes they want, and those that prove popular and achieve the target group, are retained while those others that are less popular are scrapped. This is the way in which governance is done. Why do we say it is the People versus Government?
All the Mahayuti constituents include the scheme Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana using different terminology. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde calls it with its full name while the fuming(C)BJP abbreviates it to ‘Ladki Bahin Yojana’. You tend to call it the ‘Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’.
There is nothing bad about it. It is a long name, hence, Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is used for reason of calling. That will make it more easier to remember. Just like how we call the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sethu as Atal Sethu or the Rajiv Gandhi Worli Sealink as Rajiv Sethu, it is done in order to facilitate usage.
Maharashtra Additional Chief Secretary Barve M N And other high officials Interactive with RPs and Field staff stationed at Zenda Chowk Yavatmal.
Do you know if the Chief Minister candidate will be announced before elections?
No. Our focus is on winning the Mahayuti alliance with a sufficient majority and only then will a decision be made on the Chief Minister. But one thing is clear: the Chief Minister will belong to Mahayuti.
Remember the last time you stated that standing yourselves at the female candidate position you knew, now with the title MP of the Rajya Sabha, over your cousin Supriya Sule Baramati was going too far. Why did you do that?
I am frank, as many of you are already aware. Just recently after the stage purza of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj idol at sindhudurg, I issued an apology to the people of Maharashtra, of 13 crores without getting into the issues of why it has happened. We will investigate and we will punish. He is too devoted to us, I said sorry to him and triggered ahead. The same way, I thought that withdrawing my wife in the Lok Sabha elections was not that gesture, and I just shared my sentiments. I was not asked to do that by anybody.
What made you choose not to cast any aspersions on Sharad Pawar?
It’s not only saheb. I have resolved not to point fingers at anybody. Did I have any sense of humeur français today? No. After the Lok Sabha elections, I mentioned the narrative of Abki baar 400 paar, which fatalistically didn’t go down well with people, among SC, ST, Minority communities especially. They believed such ad campaign by the opposition monister Tagore, who was later to become Prime Mister Tagore, was likely to construct the Constitution then effectuate the CAA. This brought out an undercurrent and people decided to go the other way. We were unable to fill in the gaps of the story which was thoed the planning of putting as boleto by the opposition.
Who will be the candidate for the Baramati seat in next Assembly elections? You’ve stated that it’s spurious from 1991 after having got elected seven times.
I have nothing to say to such questions. The party will take a call and declare the candidate.
Please tell me your plans for the next elections in your country and how many candidates will go on to stand for elections?
We will make efforts under Mahayuti and also at party levels to connect with people. There would be a lot of candidates for example, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has plans to nominate contest about 225 or 250 Candidates. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and AIMIM will also be in the fray. In addition to these, there will be many candidates who shall contest as independents as well. The manuals dictate that the distribution of seats is on the basis of how unique a seat is electorally. The arrangement of seats should mirror the extent of the incumbent party’s candidate in the individual constituency.
You have stated that your party will go for 60 seats. Is that correct?
Not just 60. In the last elections, our party won 54 constituencies and six other were with us making a total of 60. So, we are very much interested in those 60 seats and of course we will go for more than that.
Do you think the agitation by Manoj Jarange-Patil will have a bearing on the elections and what do you have to say on the Maratha reservation?
Nobody, including myself thinks that the Maratha community should not be given reservations. You saw the reservation bill passed in both Houses of the Assembly and the journalists attention. Once the issue is there, there is not much etiquette. I don’t know if the issue will affect the politics of the elections, but one thing I know is Mr. Jarange-Patil has invited people to apply who are willing to fight.
What other regions besides Western Maharashtra are your party popular in?
We have strong pockets in various regions. For example, in Beed district, where we have a couple of MLAs.
What do you currently think of Mr. Sharad Pawar and Ms. Supriya Sule?
They’re busy with their work, and I’m busy with mine.
What about taking in the former minister and subject of harsh reservations from BJP, Mr. Nawab Malik, into your party?
The party will decide on that matter; one person is not a sole decision maker for such decisions.
