Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Monday reacted to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis`s remarks on seat-sharing in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, saying any stand taken by the Chief Minister would have been made after due consideration and would be final for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reported news agency ANI.
“If the Chief Minister has said this, he must have said it after careful consideration. The Chief Minister is the supreme leader of the BJP in Maharashtra. Whatever he has said will be final,” Pawar said, responding to Fadnavis`s indication that the BJP and NCP may contest the civic elections separately in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, reported ANI.
Pawar underlined that the NCP`s immediate focus would be to strengthen its organisation and ensure a strong performance in the twin civic bodies. “As far as the NCP is concerned, we will make every possible effort to ensure the party`s victory in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Regarding alliances with other parties, no decision has been taken yet. A final decision will be made before filing nominations,” he added.
The remarks come a day after the Maharashtra State Election Commission announced elections to 29 municipal corporations across the state, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Polling will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for January 16.
Speaking earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis said the ruling Mahayuti alliance was working to contest the civic polls together in most parts of the state. However, referring specifically to Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, he noted that discussions with Ajit Pawar had already taken place and that both parties may opt to contest against each other in the region.
“Ajit Pawar and we cannot contest together in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. If we do, it benefits a third party. We will contest against each other, but it will be a friendly fight,” Fadnavis said, asserting that there would be no bitterness between the allies despite direct contests, reported ANI.
Ajit Pawar slams anti-Modi slogans, calls for decorum in political discourse
Reacting to controversial slogans raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a Congress rally, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday urged political parties to maintain dignity and decorum, saying such remarks go against Indian culture and democratic values.
“The late Yashwantrao Chavan taught us the value of respect. In politics, there are always differences between the ruling party and the opposition, but when making statements against anyone, one must maintain a certain level of decorum and dignity. After all, he is the Prime Minister of the country,” Pawar said. He added that derogatory remarks against the Prime Minister were inappropriate and those responsible should introspect and apologise. “Ultimately, Modi ji is the Prime Minister representing 140 crore people of the country,” he said while addressing the media in Pune, reported ANI.
Pawar`s reaction comes in the wake of sharp political controversy triggered by slogans raised at a Congress rally held at Delhi`s Ramlila Maidan against alleged “vote chori” (vote theft).
(With inputs from ANI)
