Will take a firm stand..: Shard Paward on Ajit Pawar leaving NCP

Amravati: NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday made it clear that his party will not go easy on anyone choosing to join the ruling BJP coalition in Maharashtra.

Sharad Pawar talked tough after reports said that his party leader Ajit Pawar is on the verge of joining the BJP coalition.

‘If someone is trying to break away (Ajit Pawar from NCP), then, it is their strategy and they must be doing that. If we have to take a stand, then we will take a firm stand’ Mr Pawar was quoted by NDTV as saying.

Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar earlier expressed to be having ambitions to become the chief minister of the state.

NCP leader Supriya Sule quickly reacted to him saying there is nothing wrong to be ambitious in politics, which could be viewed as conflicting with the party stand.

‘There is nothing wrong to have ambition or a dream in politics, everybody has it, so I don't think there is anything wrong with saying openly about it. In fact, he is very honest in talking about his ambition,’ Supriya Sule was quoted new agency ANI as saying.

When asked if he aspired to become chief minister in 2024 polls, Ajit Pawar told an interviewer that he was ready just then for the position.

However. Sule deflected questions put to her about Ajit Pawar leave NCP, saying she was busy with the development works of the state, adding it was unfortunate nobody was focusing on agrarian crisis and farmer issues.

‘ These issues should be high on the agenda instead of rumours and speculation about Ajit Pawar in the media,’ Sule reportedly said.