NCP attacks RPI, slams Uddhav

YESTERDAY, almost one lakh Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers came together at Somaiya Grounds, Sion to celebrate the party's twelfth anniversary.

At the rally, a wide range of issues were discussed from attacking the Opposition to the Chaityabhoomi issue.

At the rally, Chief Sharad Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and Home Minister RR Patil took the opportunity to attack the Republican Party of India's (RPI) alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena, saying party chief Ramdas Athawale's commitment to the ideals of BR Ambedkar seemed to have vanished.


NCP workers flocked to the Somaiya Grounds to celebrate the party's 12th anniversary. NCP chief Sharad Pawar, and senior leaders Tariq Anwar and P A Sangma, among others, were in attendance

"Now, Athawale has joined with people (like Sena chief Bal Thackeray) who call themselves Hindu Hridaysamrat (emperor of Hindu hearts). It seems the RPI chief has abandoned Ambedkar's ideals," Pawar remarked without naming Thackeray.

Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar and RR Patil targeted Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray over the tirade against Ajit Pawar.

Uddhav had in a rally conducted on Thursday called Pawar a 'nalayak' (worthless). Reacting to the attack, Pawar said, "We don't come in anyone's way but if someone crosses our path, our party workers know how to deal with him."

However, while senior leaders were busy attacking the Opposition, the rally also gave the party a clear chance to provide their ally the Congress with a clear warning. Former Lok Sabha speaker PA Sangma said that the Congress shouldn't dream of usurping power as the NCP was strong.

"We are going strong even after 11 years and we have been able to establish ourselves in Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa with a sizable vote share and NCP has been able to stay true to its identity through the years."

At the rally, NCP leaders also reiterated their demand to rename Dadar station as Chaityabhoomi in memory of BR Ambedkar.

But, it seems that the demand has begun a tussle between the two allies as officials from Congress have stated that they have already taken up the issue. The CM will soon lead a delegation to meet PM Manmohan Singh to discuss the same.