Congress indispensable; not interested in becoming UPA chairperson or leading anti-BJP front: Sharad Pawar

NCP chief Sharad Pawar cast aside the resolution of his party’s youth wing recommending his name for the post of UPA chairperson. Pawar, who has been in constant touch with like-minded parties, clarified that he was not keen to head the UPA but said that should anyone take the lead to mobilize parties to come up with an alternative, he would extend his support and cooperation. “I have zero interest in becoming UPA chief,” he said, putting an end to the debate on the issue.

“One of our young associates moved a resolution recommending my name for the UPA chairperson’s post. But I am not at all interested. I will not take any responsibility. I am ready, in terms of offering support and assistance,” said Pawar. However, a former Union minister made it clear that while there was an argument for opposition parties to come together (in the run-up to the 2024 general elections to provide an alternative to the BJP), some realities should not go unnoticed.

“Other parties have power centres in various states. But the Congress is a party which is more or less present in every state of the country, even if it is not in power, but Congress workers can be seen in every district and village of the state. If you want to do something, Congress party’s nationwide reach needs to be considered,” observed Pawar, who is seen as the architect of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government after the 2019 assembly elections in Maharashtra.

He has thereby iterated that the Congress must necessarily be an integral part of any alternative being considered by various parties. He has also sent a signal to the Congress which is going through a major organizational crisis after successive poll defeats, that it cannot neglect the strengths and abilities of regional parties and their leaders in stitching up a non-BJP alliance.

Pawar’s statement comes on the heels of Trinamool Congress founder and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s appeal to all non-BJP parties and other opposition leaders to unite to take on the BJP. Recently, CPM leader Sitaram Yechury showered praise on Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin, terming him the most acceptable leader among the non-BJP CMs, while urging him to call a meeting of CMs to deliberate on federalism, social justice and measures to protect the people of the country.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut had said that the post of the UPA chief was not the Congress party’s property and called for an overhaul in the UPA. However, Congress leaders Ashok Chavan and Nana Patole countered him, saying that the Shiv Sena was not a member of UPA and hence, had no right to talk about its leadership.