M’shtra Congress expresses concerns over ‘secrete meetings’ between Pawars

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Congress President, Nana Patole, has expressed concern over undisclosed meetings between Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and the state's Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar. These secret gatherings have cast a shadow over the stability of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which comprises the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP.

The political landscape was rocked last month when Ajit Pawar split from the NCP to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena-BJP government. In response to queries from reporters, Patole remarked, “It is a matter of concern for us and we do not approve of the meetings taking place between the Pawars secretly.”

He indicated that the matter would be deliberated by top Congress leaders and within the broader opposition alliance.

Patole emphasized that the Congress remained committed to joining forces with all those willing to oppose the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He quashed speculations that the Congress was contemplating contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections without the involvement of Sharad Pawar.

Meanwhile, addressing a gathering in his hometown of Baramati, Sharad Pawar acknowledged the divergence of some party members' paths but remained hopeful that their positions might evolve in due course.

"Whether they change their stand or not, we will not deviate from the path we have chosen," Pawar asserted. He highlighted his prior appeal to Maharashtra voters while hinting at an ongoing ideological divide within the alliance.

In an announcement made during the event, Sharad Pawar revealed plans to hold a public rally in Beed on Thursday, aiming to assert his party's unity and reinforce their commitment to their chosen course.

With PTI inputs