Only tainted leaders leaving NCP, claims Ajit Pawar

Mumbai: Outspoken Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Sunday told party workers in Pune not to get too worried by the exodus from their party as only those feared their scams would be exposed had joined the saffron parties. So far, NCP leaders were very careful about not making any direct corruption allegations against the leaders who have left the party recently.

Addressing a rally at Pune, Mr Pawar also announced that the NCP would contest four Pune seats — Hadapsar, Khadakwasala, Parvati and Vadgaonsheri — and Congress would contest three seats — Shivaji Nagar, Cantonment and Kasaba — and one seat, Kothrud, would be set aside for another ally.

The leader said both parties would declare their candidates very soon but they were waiting for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to announce its candidates first .

Mr Pawar said, “Since the last five years, the BJP government has failed to bring any new policy in the state for the benefit of the people. Therefore, unemployment has increased. It has been seen that government is not taking any steps to resolve it.”

Mr Pawar added, “For five years the BJP has been talking about development, but I have not seen any vikas. I am appealing to BJP leaders to show me some.”

The leader also took defectors to task, stating, “Many leaders have left the Congress and NCP. So, don’t think too much about them and start campaigning.”