NCP (SP) working president and MP Supriya Sule defended the Congress party’s historical legacy in response to criticism from NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Parth Pawar regarding the party’s decision to contest the Baramati by-election. Sule emphasized the significant role of the Congress in India’s freedom struggle, attributing the country’s current freedom to the party’s efforts against British rule.
Highlighting the Congress’s contributions, Sule mentioned key national initiatives like economic reforms and social governance, crediting the party for its association with the Quit India movement and transformative policies introduced by former Prime Ministers P.V. Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh. She also acknowledged the Congress’s efforts in areas such as women’s reservation and strengthening local governance.
In response to Parth Pawar’s comments, veteran leader Sharad Pawar questioned the political experience behind such statements, emphasizing the need for maturity in addressing important decisions in politics. Sule, respecting her father’s viewpoint, refrained from further comments, stating that family advice should be given at home, not through media channels.
While defending the Congress’s decision to field a candidate in the by-election, Sule affirmed the importance of democratic expression and redirected accountability for Parth’s statement to his own faction, the Ajit Pawar group. She emphasized that differing opinions are part of democracy and praised the unopposed election of Sharad Pawar to the Rajya Sabha, highlighting the culture of Maharashtra and the maturity shown by both the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi and the opposition parties.
