Cong, NCP should ally with like-minded parties: Pawar

Laments how Mumbai was once recognised as a city of workers, but now it has been replaced with white-collared executives

Addressing the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers and leaders, Sharad Pawar, the party president welcomed discussions with Congress party and said, “instead of discussing issues or disputes over seat allocation, discuss the common issues and agenda. This is the basic reason for contesting Maharashtra assembly elections together.”

“We will contest elections in the state together. And I am confident we would get more seats in Mumbai,” Pawar told the gathering.

While speaking of Chhagan Bhujbal, the former deputy chief minister, Pawar said he will be heartened once the leader is cleared of all charges alleged against him.

“I would have been happy had Bhujbal been present here. I met him personally and I must say he is a strong leader with grass-root connection. Like the people of Maharashtra I too will be happy to see Bhujbal cleared of all charges. We have witnessed success in the first phase and I am confident the second phase too will be successful in his case,” said Pawar.

Pawar highlighted the party needs old hands for their experience, but at the same time young fresh faces will have to be pushed ahead. “We will have to give chance to new faces. These young people who work with enthusiasm and are loved by the people is the need of the hour,” Pawar added.

Pawar lamented Mumbai belonged and was recognised as that of workers. The party leaders need to understand the change and enhance their contacts in this work force.

“There was a time when one could see a unified strength of workers. Mumbai is known as the city of workers. A collective labour power was seen in Giranagava which does not exist today. Today the workers are of different mind-set and white-collared workers are part of this force. More importantly, there is a growing force of government workers, different organisations that also are for workers. Party leaders need to acknowledge and expand their contacts with these workers. There is a need to set up a collective force and remember, the middle class creates a opinion,” Pawar said.

Pawar said we will have to come together to ensure Mumbai progresses as an inclusive metropolis. Disparate ideas came from workers, including white-collared workers. And in particular those workers who work in government organisation and many such institutions. The number and power of the collective organisations need to be increased and the grass contact with them too has to be enhanced. This will create the middle class votes for the party, said Pawar. Sachin Ahir, the Mumbai President also shared information about the work done in the last three years and shared ideas to strengthen the base of the party.