Pune: Pawar Targets Congress, Alleges Cross-Voting in MLC Polls; Sets Stage for Seat-Sharing Talks

Pune, 18th July 2024: In Pune, NCP founder Sharad Pawar criticized the Mahayuti government, particularly Cabinet Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, on Wednesday, alleging that the government initially excluded opposition assistance during the early stages of the Maratha agitation. Pawar emphasized that the government is now suddenly blaming the opposition for the unrest in various parts of the state.

Speaking to the media, Pawar openly targeted the Congress party, highlighting cross-voting issues in the recent MLC polls. He expressed disappointment over Congress votes being split.

“This is the first instance where Sharad Pawar has openly voiced his disappointment with his coalition partners post-Lok Sabha elections. Observers believe this move is aimed at putting pressure on the state Congress leadership ahead of discussions on seat-sharing for the assembly polls.”

Pawar also commented on the recent Maharashtra Legislative Council elections, noting that Jayant Patil, his supported candidate, lost due to cross-voting by Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) members. It has emerged that up to seven Congress votes may have gone to the ruling Mahayuti.

“We anticipated that some Congress votes would go to Shiv Sena’s Milind Narvekar, and some to Jayant Patil of the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), whom we backed. However, Congress failed to ensure this transfer to Patil. We are disappointed, and they need to investigate what happened,” Pawar stated.

Internally, there’s speculation within Sharad Pawar’s NCP about his strategy to place the state Congress leadership on the defensive before the assembly polls’ seat-sharing talks. While Pawar is content with discussions with the Congress’s central leadership, he harbours discomfort with the state leadership, considering them junior and having had past issues.

“Pawar’s recent statements are viewed as part of a strategy to portray disarray within Maharashtra Congress, illustrating that the party cannot maintain unity even in critical moments like preventing cross-voting in MLC polls. Pawar seems to urge Rahul Gandhi to assert control over the MVA’s campaign in the upcoming assembly elections, especially in western Maharashtra, a stronghold for NCP.”

Pawar also seized the opportunity to criticize the BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra for its perceived mishandling of the Maratha agitation.

“The agitation reignited last year. Despite various government delegations and claims of finding solutions, opposition leaders were never invited for talks. Now, with tensions resurfacing, the government suddenly wants opposition involvement. Minister Chhagan Bhujbal urged me to engage with the agitators. Why involve us only at the eleventh hour? Why are we now being held accountable for unrest in parts of the state?” Pawar questioned.