Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar
After the victory of Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) in the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, the preparations for this year’s assembly elections have gathered pace. The Congress, NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) have announced to contest the assembly elections together, but speculation is rife as to who will be the chief ministerial face of the Mahavikas Aghadi. On Saturday, NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar clarified his opinion on the face of the Chief Minister’s post.
Sharad Pawar on Saturday ruled out fielding any single leader as the chief ministerial candidate, while Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut demanded that Uddhav Thackeray be fielded as the chief ministerial candidate of the opposition alliance MVA.
Sharad Pawar told reporters in Kolhapur that our alliance is our collective face. No one person can be the face of the Chief Minister. Collective leadership is our motto. Our three alliance partners will decide on this. Mahavikas will not announce any candidate for the post of Chief Minister in the Aghadi elections. It is clear that after the elections he will be the chief ministerial candidate.
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These parties will be included in the MVA
He expressed confidence in MVA’s prospects for the upcoming assembly elections and confirmed that allies like Farmers and Workers Party of India (PWP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would be inducted into MVA.
Sharad Pawar also criticized the reference to Emergency during Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s speech, saying it was not appropriate and not befitting the Speaker’s position. He asked if the Speaker’s role was to make political statements.
These leaders of Ajit Pawar group will join
On Rahul Gandhi becoming the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sharad Pawar said that only the party with the largest number of opposition MPs chooses the leader. He said that Congress MPs chose Rahul Gandhi as their leader. He represents a new generation with political background and dedication. I am sure it will work well.
Sharad Pawar also commented on the recent budget presented by his nephew, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, calling it an attempt by him to present a big effort ahead of the state assembly elections. He doubted the feasibility of the state budget promises. He said how can I spend 100 rupees when I have 70 rupees in my pocket?
On speculation of MLAs from Ajit Pawar faction returning to his party, Sharad Pawar said Jayant Patil and others know about it. He hasn’t found anyone. Let’s see who comes?
