26 February,2024 12:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ajit Pawar/ PTI
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar issued a statement on Monday clarifying his decision to join the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state.
As per an ANI report, Pawar, in his statement praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their "strong leadership and correct decision-making" and expressed gratitude for the development work they had performed. He drew parallels with their working style and stated his (working style) is identical to theirs.
"The decision taken by the Nationalist Congress Party to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena is still being discussed in different media. This letter is to make my role in this matter more clear. I find it important that the development work that is being done in this country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Strong leadership and correct decision-making process, these are their qualities that I like very much. My and their working methods are very similar," his statement was cited in the ANI report.
Highlighting the importance of development work under Modi and Shah's leadership, Pawar stated his intention to collaborate with them to further the state's progress. He asserted that since joining the government, development initiatives had gained momentum, the agency report stated.
"I felt that it would be possible to carry out some of my future plans for development with them in a more effective manner, so I decided to go with them with the aim of taking this state towards development. Since I have taken this role, it has been my experience that since joining the government, development work has gained momentum," his statement further read, per the news agency.
According to the ANI report, Pawar lauded the efforts for development taken under PM Modi and HM Shah's leadership and expressed willingness to partner with them to further the state's development. He also claimed that since joining the Eknath Shinde-led government in Maharashtra, development efforts have gained traction. He also stated that it is crucial to be in power to impact change, to carry out development projects and added that he bore no ill will for his seniors, possibly alluding to his uncle and founder of NCP--Sharad Pawar.
The Deputy CM wrote, "I have seen it done both by being in power and by being in opposition. While in power, we have seen development slowing down rapidly and while in opposition, we have also seen development works getting stuck. So one truth which cannot be denied is that for development work it is necessary for you to be in power."
"I have no intention of disrespecting fatherly or elder people. How can the standard of living of the people be raised, how can the facilities of their basic infrastructure be made more efficient? So this is for the work of the people," his statement was cited in the ANI report.
He closed his address by encouraging people to join him on the path of growth and seeking blessings from seniors for his efforts.
"I have taken my own role intending to complete the development works without any compromise with the ideology and objective etc. In this, I do not dare to insult anyone in any way, hurt anyone's feelings or cheat anyone or harm anyone. It was never my intention to have a dagger in my back or anything like that, nor will I ever have one," he stated.
On July 2, last year, Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs joined the Maharashtra administration led by Eknath Shinde.
