NCP chief Sharad Pawar rules out alliance with BJP

Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar clarified on Thursday that he would not align with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) either in Gujarat or in Maharashtra.

At the same time, he also said he is seeing huge inflow of money in election campaigning in Gujarat and so one can’t predict the results of the Gujarat election as of now. Mr Pawar supported Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and said the ruling party’s attempt to malign the image of Mr Gandhi had boomeranged now.

In a brief interaction with journalists, Mr Pawar categorically said no issue has arisen on the basis on which he would have an alliance with the BJP. “We are a small party in Gujarat. But there we are in talks with the Congress. It is clear for us that we will never go with BJP either in Gujarat or anywhere else,” said Mr Pawar.  

He also refused to comment on who would win the Gujarat Assembly elections. “The reports that are coming in suggest that there is huge money being used in the campaign. There is resentment among the public of Gujarat against the current dispensation. But it is not easy to say as of now about who would win the battle as money is being flown (into the state),” said the veteran politician.

The former Maharashtra chief minister also warned the state government about its push for the Samruddhi Mahamarg. “We are not against development. But there is news that farmers are being harassed to give land for this project. We will hit the roads if this continues,” said Mr Pawar.

The NCP chief also said many state ministers seek his advice. “It is true that they (ministers in government) discussed many things with me. I too suggest them a few things. But I don’t see any implementation on my suggestions,” said Mr Pawar.