PUNE: NCP chief Ajit Pawar on Tuesday justified his and colleagues’ decision to rebel against uncle Sharad Pawar to join BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and said that he is not a saint to remain in the opposition and keep raising slogans against govt.Addressing a rally orgainsed on the occasion of NCP’s foundation day conclave at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pawar exhorted party workers to start preparations for the upcoming civic polls.“Some people raised questions about our decision to join NDA, claiming that NCP was founded on secular ideology. However, the party already made a compromise in 2019 by joining hands with Shiv Sena to form govt. Then why are we being blamed? Sitting in opposition and raising slogans is not enough in politics. We are not saints but politicians, and in order to address public grievances, we joined govt,” he said.The deputy chief minister, however, said that he has not abandoned the secular ideology. “Our party’s base is the ideology of Shahu Maharaj, Jyotiba Phule, and Babasaheb Ambedkar. Our aim to be in NDA is to ensure development. Even Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar’s parties became part of the alliance, though they follow secular ideology like NCP.”Scotching the rumours of a possible merger with NCP (SP), he said, “Some party functionaries may have some opinion on the issue, but such decisions are made by the senior leadership.”Last week, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare denied having any such proposal for discussion in the party’s core group.Against the backdrop of some NCP members being named in criminal cases, the deputy CM warned of action. “We are in govt, and therefore, we have a greater responsibility to follow discipline. If any of the party workers is found involved in any anti-social activity, they will not be spared.” This was NCP’s 26th foundation day, but after the split in 2023, both factions have been celebrating the day separately.
