Sharing a seat is a difficult task for MVA but NCP is practical, says Sunil Tatkare

The recent development in the NCP where the party chairman, Sharad Pawar, resigned and then withdrew his resignation… what does it mean about the future of the party?

The future of NCP is good. Sharad Pawar is a nationally prominent personality. When he expressed his opinion that he wanted to resign as NCP chairman, reactions arose from all quarters… NCP workers and national leaders of various parties asked him to withdraw his resignation. Everyone felt that his resignation would leave a vacuum at the national level. With this in mind, he withdrew his resignation, which was a boost to everyone, even at the national level.

Shortly after Pawar announced his resignation, fissures emerged in the party with state NCP Chairman Jayant Patil expressing disappointment that he was not invited to a meeting. What does this indicate?

No meeting was called for the next day. Neither from Pawar Saheb, nor from the party. I don’t know the reason for such a comment. He can say better about it. It was surprising for us too… since there was no meeting.

There is a section that believes that it could be a power struggle within the party between Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar that led to Pawar’s decisions… Do you feel there is any truth to this?

You are welcome. Because Supriya Tai’s performance in Parliament is extraordinary. Ajit dada has been there in Mumbai. I have been in the party for 24 years and I have never found any difference between Ajit dada and Supriya Tai. She is at the national level, dada is at the state level. Some elements outside the party who think more of us have enjoyed spreading such rumors about the party since 1999, when it was formed.

If Sharad Pawar has to decide between the two, who do you think will be his choice?

I’m too small a person to say anything about this. I am working with both, but finally Pawar Saheb has to decide. Dada has been criticized for a long time. But due to his hard work and administrative skills, he is a popular leader in Maharashtra. This is why people outside the party often make it such an easy target.

What do you think about the current state of MVA? Are you happy with the way the other two parties are making statements against each other?

I feel that all parties in the alliance should stand together instead of making loose remarks against each other… without damaging unity, especially in times of crisis. When it comes to publishing houses in Saamna, Sanjay Raut you have to be careful when parties should not criticize allies… We cannot always tolerate this kind of criticism… Parties also benefit from the strength of their allies. All parties must be very careful in an alliance. We should try to strengthen MVA as we have to face Parliament elections in 8-9 months.

Will the allies allow you to take a higher position when it comes to sharing seats? Will Uddhav Thackeray and Congress take a secondary position?

The NCP is practical. You have to see the seats that can be won, the candidates that can be elected. We should start the dialogue now because it will not be resolved in one round of the meeting. They all have their own supporters, but the equation has now changed because 12 or 13 deputies have left with eknath shinde. We have four deputies and Congress has one. Sharing a seat is a difficult task for all of us. But considering that we have to fight against all these forces, each alliance partner has no choice but to step back… But we are sure that the MVA will compete together.

Has NCP accepted Uddhav Thackeray as MVA leader?

There is no doubt that he (Thackeray) would have been demoralized to some degree after what happened in the Shiv Sena. It was then that Pawar Saheb not only supported him but also pushed him forward. I don’t think he is dictating terms to the MVA. We are continually discussing issues, organizing rallies… if some problems arise, that happens in all coalitions.

Do you think that a community scenario can be developed in the state?

This is not happening for the first time. It has been going on since the time when Advani ji led the Rath Yatra… But Indian democracy is so strong and in a secular state, people vote very wisely.

Will Sharad Pawar lead the third front in the Center? Will he be a candidate for prime minister?

Pawar Saheb himself has explained his position whenever he is asked this… He knows the strength of NCP in the Parliament It’s small, it’s not even double digits. So he has never claimed for the post of prime minister. But with his vast knowledge and experience, he is an acceptable leader to all. And his political leadership at the national level is much needed now.