Following the unveiling of a joint manifesto by the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Pune, Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar raised concerns about the true intentions behind the reunion. He questioned whether the recent coming together of Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule was driven by ideology or a mere survival tactic, causing ripples in the state’s political scenario.
Wadettiwar expressed skepticism about the motives behind the reconciliation, pondering whether it aimed to benefit grassroots workers or was solely a strategic maneuver to secure Cabinet positions. Speculations abound regarding the potential induction of NCP(SP) legislator Rohit Pawar into the state Cabinet and the rumored role for NCP(SP) working president and MP Supriya Sule in the Union Cabinet.
Highlighting the NCP’s reliance on power for survival, Wadettiwar emphasized the party’s vulnerability outside the government, suggesting that power holds utmost significance for them. In contrast, he underscored the Congress’s commitment to constitutional values and democracy, citing Rahul Gandhi’s advocacy for these principles and reaffirming support for him.
Addressing the ongoing tensions between the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the BJP in Ambernath, Wadettiwar criticized what he termed as a “Noora Kushti” (fixed match) between the two parties. He alleged a calculated strategy to divide the Marathi and progressive votes, aiming to weaken the Congress and the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena through Shinde and Ajit Pawar, respectively.
Wadettiwar also pointed out internal turmoil within the BJP, mocking the party’s reliance on police warnings to control dissent among its ranks. He highlighted the erosion of discipline within the BJP, questioning the effectiveness of resorting to such measures to manage internal dissent. In a satirical jab at the ruling party, he proposed a new slogan for the state: “Save the BJP from its own rebels.”
