Ahead of civic polls, Ajit Pawar rules out merger talks with Sharad Pawar, denies BJP ‘match-fixing’ | Mumbai News

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, in a pre-poll interview to TOI on Tuesday, admitted that bitterness between both groups of NCP has subsided after the alliance was forged for the elections to the Pune municipal corporation and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic body. He said the tie-up had made contest against BJP “tighter”. Ajit indicated at a possible reunion with his uncle Sharad Pawar, saying that he believes in the politics of “addition, not subtraction”. He said while he has had no discussion with Pawar Sr on the issue, “there are no permanent enemies in politics”. Ajit also spoke about following his uncle’s style of working, and relations with his Mahayuti allies. He insisted that ties between the ruling partners was not affected by the criticism they directed at each other during the recent poll campaign. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar spoke to TOI in Pune on a range of issues. Excerpts:Q: Will the NCPs’ alliance continue even post-civic elections?A: I have not thought about it right now, but when such an alliance happens, it automatically helps reduce the bitterness on both sides. There have been no adverse remarks against each other from either group after the alliance was formed.Q: Did you have any discussions with your uncle Sharad Pawar about continuing the alliance or a possible merger of the NCPs?A: There has been no discussion with Pawar Saheb at all. However, I want to make it clear that there are no permanent enemies in politics.Q: The opposition has alleged that the NCP and the BJP made adjustments for the PMC and PCMC polls by not forming an allianceA: That is not at all true. There is no match-fixing between us (NCP and BJP). They are trying to strengthen their party and I am trying the same for mine. I do not think there is anything wrong with it. When I take up a task, I try to complete it with full dedication and that is what I am doing in this election for my party.Q: Whose decision was it for the Mahayuti partners to contest separately in the PMC and PCMC polls?A: It was the chief minister’s call. The BJP already had a big number with them in both the civic bodies and it was difficult for them to make adjustments in any alliance. Had talks of an alliance between the BJP and the Shiv Sena failed early, we would have probably got Shinde’s party on our side in both civic bodies. Looking at the margin of seats we lost in the previous elections and the votes Shiv Sena candidates got, an alliance between the two NCPs and Shiv Sena would have helped increase the number of our seats this time.Q: Will the criticism of each other in the civic polls affect the alliance in the state?A: I don’t think so. Even when the BJP and the Shiv Sena were in an alliance, they criticised each other during elections but ultimately they came together.Q: What is your poll assessment for PMC and PCMC civic bodies?A: Initially, many thought that it was a one-sided contest in favour of the BJP. However, now they are admitting that the contest is getting tighter between the BJP and the NCPs in alliance. Residents from both PMC and PCMC areas are not only listening to us but also responding positively. I did not see this kind of response when I campaigned for Sunetra (his wife and now a Rajya Sabha MP) during the Lok Sabha elections.Q: Is the response due to the alliance of both NCP groups?A: Yes. NCP supporters have always given their first preference to Pawar Saheb. A section of them also likes my style of working. They are drawn to my style of politics. When we split, our supporters were divided. Now, after we formed the alliance, both sections of supporters have reunited. Their reunion will naturally benefit us in these polls.Q: The bitterness between party workers and supporters of both groups was witnessed during the Lok Sabha and assembly polls last year. Has it been reduced because of the alliance?A: I am telling you, party workers from both sides are responsible for bringing us together. My section convinced me to ally with them. Similarly, party workers from the other group conveyed the same message to their seniors. Thanks to our party workers, we came together to discuss the alliance and later, seat sharing.Q: Who took the initiative for the talks of an alliance?A: Based on our party workers’ opinions, I met the seniors of the other side including Supriya Sule, Rohit Pawar and Amol Kolhe. Later, our respective city unit office-bearers held a series of meetings and finalised the alliance.Q: A large number of NCP functionaries joined other parties before the election. How did it impact the distribution of tickets?A: When many of my party workers switched allegiance, I had it in mind that I should wait for the distribution of A and B forms, hoping that there were party workers with them (the BJP) who were preparing for the last 8-9 years and would change sides in anger at the last moment when they were denied tickets. We did this and gave tickets to such aspirants based on their winnability factor.Q: You usually start your day early like your uncle Sharad Pawar. Did he influence your style of working too?A: I was in Std III when Pawar Saheb became the MLA. I would carry tea in a tray for guests when they would come to meet him. Since then, I have been observing his style of working. I was always told that if I needed to be successful in politics, I would have to start my day early and I have been following the same principle in my political career for over three decades. The legacy was started by Pawar Saheb and I am only continuing it.