Talks on with like-minded parties for Goa polls: Pawar
MUMBAI: NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said talks are on with “like-minded parties” to jointly oust BJP from power in Goa in next month’s Assembly elections in the coastal state.
“NCP leader Praful Patel and Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut are talking with local Congress leaders there,” Pawar told reporters.
There is a common thinking that BJP should be defeated there and talks are in progress with like-minded parties, he said.
“Our desire is that parivartan (change) is needed in Goa. There is a need to oust BJP from power there,” he said.
The NCP chief said his party will contest ensuing elections in Uttar Pradesh, Manipur and Goa.
“BJP would like to contest the elections on communal lines but I am confident that the voters will not accept it,” Pawar said.
On claims of security lapse during of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Punjab visit, Pawar said, “The post of prime minister is an institution and security is the responsibility of the Centre and the state and necessary care needs to be taken.” On Uttar Pradesh minister Swami Prasad Maurya quitting the state cabinet to join Samajwadi Party, Pawar said, “Every day some new faces will ‘migrate’ in the run up to the voting.” The NCP chief said he will participate in a meeting called by Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav.
There will be change in Uttar Pradesh, Pawar said, speaking on the fate of the Yogi Adityanath government in the north Indian state. “People need change,” he added.
Pawar slammed Yogi Adityanath over the latter’s “80:20” remarks.
Slamming Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his “80 per cent versus 20 per cent” remarks, Pawar said the chief minister should take along all sections of society.
“Yesterday UP CM said that 80 per cent people belong to him while remaining 20 per cent do not. The Chief Minister should not make this kind of remarks because every citizen of the state belongs to CM,” he said.
“Communal polarisation is being done in Uttar Pradesh ahead of assembly elections. The people of UP will give a befitting reply to this. The CM should take along every section of the society,” he added. Elections for 403member Uttar Pradesh assembly will be held in seven phases.
NCP will contest five seats in Manipur with Congress, he said.