Voters accepted young Cong leadership: Pawar
MUMBAI: The Congress’ victory in three states that were earlier ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) shows that people have accepted the party’s young leadership, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday, on the sidelines on an event to mark his 78th birthday.
Pawar said the Congress was receptive towards other small parties and urged Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) to join the Opposition’s alliance for 2019 elections in Maharashtra. “The Congress has played important role in giving the people alternative to the BJP,” Pawar said.
The NCP chief, a former Congressman, not only praised Congress chief Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, but also defended their former prime ministers — Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi – who Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised. “This is the beginning of change. People have replied to the arrogance of power. The post of the PM is an institution in itself and its dignity should be maintained. Voters have given their mandate against BJP’S policies and their style of election campaigning. Those occupying high offices need to maintain decorum while making allegations against others. Personal allegations were made, stating a particular family [Gandhi] has done nothing for the country. But the contribution of this family is really significant,” he said.
He urged regional parties to avoid division of votes. “It satisfies me that all like-minded parties are coming together and tak- ing a stand. We all have limited strength and must ensure no division of votes. We want BSP and SP to join our alliance in the state,” Pawar said.