Congress eyes Maharashtra opposition leader post, Sharad Pawar calls it "valid demand"

Pune: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief, Sharad Pawar, expressed his support for the Congress party's demand to appoint their leader of the Opposition, stating that it is a valid request as the party with the highest number of MLAs has the right to choose the Leader of the Opposition.

In a statement to reporters on Monday, Pawar said, "The party which has the maximum number of MLAs can demand the LoP post. As per my information, Congress has the maximum number currently, and if they ask for it, then it's a valid demand."

He also addressed the recent developments within his own party, stating that several members from the faction led by Ajit Pawar have reaffirmed their commitment to the original ideology and policies of the NCP. He mentioned that they will declare their stance at an appropriate time. Denying any intention to display his strength, Pawar emphasised that fluctuations in political strength are not uncommon. He cited a past incident in 1980 when only five out of his 59 MLAs remained with the party, yet he campaigned for the NCP and the defectors faced defeat in the subsequent election, reported ANI.

Expressing disappointment in Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, Pawar remarked on their unauthorised actions. He said, "I had appointed Sunil Tatkare as National General Secretary and Prafull Patel as working president. I had given them some responsibilities. But they did something which I had not assigned to them. Therefore, they don't have the right to hold those positions."

NCP's working President, Supriya Sule, wrote a letter to Sharad Pawar urging him to disqualify MP Praful Patel and Party Member Sunil Tatkare for engaging in anti-party activities. The letter accused them of facilitating the swearing-in of nine MLAs of the Ajit Pawar faction as Cabinet Ministers of the Maharashtra government led by the BJP and Shinde faction of Shiv Sena.

During the press conference, Pawar also expressed his disappointment in certain party leaders who he believed should have fought against the BJP's attempts to sow divisions among communities. He had hoped for the strengthening of the party and the promotion of social unity but lamented that some leaders had taken a different stance. The NCP chief accused the BJP of trying to create rifts among communities in various states, emphasising the need for party leaders to combat such actions and promote social harmony.