Nationalist Congress Party Chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday, 19 February, put an end to months of speculation with the announcement that he will be contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking to ANI, Pawar clarified that his other family members, including his nephew Ajit Pawar, will not contest in the general elections. He, however, did not mention whether his daughter Supriya Sule, who is a Member of Parliament, will contest in the upcoming polls.
“Ajit Pawar is not going to contest election, Parth Pawar is not going to contest, Rohit Pawar is not going to contest. Sharad Pawar is going to contest.”Sharad Pawar, NCP Chief to ANI
According to the news agency, he was responding to a question on whether he was promoting dynastic politics.
On Shiv Sena-BJP Alliance
Speaking about the recently announced Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in Maharashtra, Pawar said that the people of state “understand their strategy.”
“In last few months there was heated exchange of words between them. Today, they’re standing together, wanting to send message of unity. People of Maharashtra can understand their strategy. They’ll think and take steps.”Sharad Pawar, NCP Chief
The veteran politician also hit out at the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, saying that while the prime minister criticised the Opposition, he was not present during the all-party meeting.
“An all-party meeting was called by centre after Pulwama attack. We were told meeting has been called by prime minister. When I reached, I saw that he was not there. He should have been there but he found it more important to criticise us in rallies in Dhule and Yavatmal,” Pawar said.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)