Nobody is permanent friend or foe in politics: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that there are no permanent enemies or friends in politics and that he broke away from his uncle Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to join the alliance between BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena to serve the people of the state.

Addressing a rally in Beed on Sunday, Ajit Pawar said, “Nobody is permanent friend or foe in politics. This is politics.”

Ajit Pawar’s address followed his uncle and NCP chief Sharad Pawar‘s assertion that there was ‘no split’ within the party and that Ajit Pawar remained its leader. However, the NCP supremo would soon deny the statements, blaming the media for misrepresenting him.

Ajit Pawar reveals why he joined BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra

In his address, Ajit Pawar also extended gratitude to local leaders of Shiv Sena and BJP for their warm welcome of him and other NCP ministers. “It is our expectation that PM Modi’s charisma would benefit Maharashtra and hence we all decided to join the [BJP-Shiv Sena] government for the benefit of the state. There is no self-interest behind our decision to join the government. There is no iota of truth in some speculative talks,” he said.

Ajit Pawar joined the BJP-Shiv Sena government last month and was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister. He, along with eight NCP MLAs, also assumed ministerial roles. Ajit Pawar has also claimed the NCP’s name and symbols in a petition filed before the Election Commission.

“We have joined Mahayuti [Ajit Pawar’s alliance with BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena] to solve the problems of the people. We took this decision for the development of the state. We want to tell everyone in Maharashtra that even though we are in the Mahayuti alliance, it is our duty to protect people of all castes and religions,” Ajit Pawar added.

He further stressed his dedication to farmers’ welfare, drawing attention to his previous role as the state’s Water Resources minister and his efforts in water management for agriculture. “We will always work for the benefit of the farmers. Farming does not happen without water in the fields. I have done a lot of work when I was the Water Resources in the state,” he said.

Ajit Pawar’s association with the BJP after the 2019 assembly polls had raised eyebrows, and his recent alignment with the party has led to Sharad Pawar calling him and the other MLAs ‘cowards’.

In response, Ajit Pawar said, “I am a person who likes to work and like to speak through my work. I won’t respond to comments made against me by anyone.”