[ad_1]
By Ritvick Arun Bhalekar: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar, who announced his decision to step down as party chief earlier today, said that the Congress is suddenly remembering its stature as a national party at a time when it is dealing with other parties in the country.
The veteran politician, in an updated version of his Marathi autobiography ‘Lok Majhe Sangati‘ (People Accompany Me), accused the leaders of the grand old party of stubbornness when discussions were underway to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra.
ALSO READ | Sharad Pawar’s exit leaves NCP leaders devastated. Jayant Patil in tears
“Congress suddenly remembers its stature as a national party when it is dealing with other parties and this attitude was evident during the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance,” Sharad Pawar revealed in his autobiography.
“Congress is undoubtedly central to the opposition unity. But when it comes to reconciling with other parties and giving them importance, it suddenly realises its nationwide strength. This is my observation,” Pawar wrote in the book.
The six-time Maharashtra chief minister, in his book, also stated that he had flagged the “arrogant attitude” of the Congress during an interview where he compared the grand old party to a landlord, who has lost his lands and can not maintain his mansion but keeps boasting about past glories.
ALSO READ | By quitting as NCP chief, is Sharad Pawar showing nephew Ajit who’s the boss?
Pawar also mentioned the Congress’s attitude during talks to form the MVA, saying the party tested his patience and at one point, he even felt that the parley could not continue. The MVA was an unlikely alliance of the Congress, the NCP and the Shiv Sena which came into existence after the Sena fell out with the BJP after the 2019 Assembly polls in Maharashtra.
SHARAD PAWAR’S RELATION WITH NARENDRA MODI
In his book, Sharad Pawar also revealed why his relationship with Narendra Modi is so talked about. From 2004 till 2014, Sharad Pawar was said to be the bridge between the then UPA government at the Centre and Narendra Modi, who was the chief minister of Gujarat.
“Both the UPA and the Gujarat government could not communicate at all, which was causing loss to the people of Gujarat. So I took the initiative and spoke to then PM Manmohan Singh about it. Later, I was entrusted with the responsibility of creating dialogue between the Centre and the Gujarat government. A lot is said about the good relationship between me and Narendra Modi. It started 10 years ago when I was representing at the Center,” Pawar said.
ALSO READ | Sharad Pawar needs 2-3 days to rethink resignation: Ajit Pawar
SHARAD PAWAR’S RELATION WITH UDDHAV THACKERAY
Sharad Pawar, in his autobiography, also claimed that Uddhav Thackeray’s resignation as Maharashtra chief minister without a struggle put an end to the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s power.
“The ease of talking with Balasaheb Thackeray was not felt when talking with Uddhav Thackeray. Due to his doctor’s schedule and health condition, he had to schedule an appointment,” Pawar writes.
Pawar also said that he had no clue that Uddhav Thackeray as chief minister would create a storm within the Shiv Sena.
ALSO READ | We are a family, says Ajit Pawar after Sharad Pawar drops resignation bombshell
ALSO READ | 2 political quakes in 15 days, predicted Supriya Sule. Pawar has resigned, what’s the 2nd
[ad_2]
