Baramati, February 4 – In a candid press conference today, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar firmly dismissed any immediate plans for merging the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party. Speaking from his stronghold in Baramati, Pawar emphasized that the party’s focus remains on unity within the family and supporting those in grief amid recent tragedies.
Pawar expressed delight over Sunetra Pawar’s oath-taking as Deputy Chief Minister, underscoring the family’s solidarity. ‘Our family stands together,’ he affirmed, setting a personal tone before addressing larger political questions.
On the possibility of reconciliation between his NCP (SP) and the rival faction led by Ajit Pawar, the veteran leader was unequivocal. ‘Right now, our entire attention is on caring for everyone and moving forward with those who are grieving. No discussions on any political decisions have taken place yet,’ Pawar stated, signaling a pause in factional politics.
Turning to national issues, Pawar commented on Rahul Gandhi’s parliamentary remarks regarding former Army Chief General Naravane. ‘In my view, General Naravane served as the country’s Army Chief. If he made a statement referenced in the House, and opposition leaders raise it, they have every right to do so,’ he said. Pawar advocated for open debate, noting that any writings by the ex-chief warrant serious attention to reveal the full picture to the public.
The discussion veered to the impending India-US trade deal, where Pawar voiced concerns. ‘The clear picture on the new agreement between America and India should emerge in the next two-three days, after which detailed discussions can follow,’ he remarked. Highlighting publicly available information, Pawar warned of potential boosts to US agricultural exports, which could spell trouble for Indian farmers.
‘America is a powerful nation with immense economic strength. If it ramps up exports of key agricultural products to other countries, it will undoubtedly impact those nations and their farmers. We hope such a scenario doesn’t unfold in India’s agriculture sector,’ Pawar cautioned, drawing from his decades of experience in agrarian politics.
Addressing the tragic demise of Ajit Pawar, Pawar called for restraint from politicizing the incident. ‘It’s heartbreaking, and no politics should surround it. Whenever accidents occur in Baramati, I’ve personally inspected the sites. I’m well-acquainted with the location—it was purely an accident,’ he concluded, urging focus on humanitarian aspects over partisan gains.