New regime will emerge: Sharad Pawar

Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar predicted a change in regime in the country as well as the state after the 2019 elections. He said the situation after the general elections would be similar to 2004 and Opposition parties would come together to form the government.

The senior leader ruled himself out from Prime Minister race but said that he would try to bring all non-BJP parties together. Mr Pawar also said that there would be state-level alliances all over the country but not one grand alliance.

“People are looking for a change. This is the situation in the state as well as the whole country. I am sure that BJP will not come back to power after the 2019 elections,” said Mr Pawar. Asked how he sees the situation of the Opposition, particularly the grand alliance, Mr Pawar categorically said that he did not see a nationwide alliance against the BJP. “There will not be one alliance all over the country. The-re will be alliances ag-ainst the BJP in different states. In Maharashtra, we will have an alliance with Congress and other smaller parties. These will be decisive,” said Mr Pawar. He added that BSP chief Mayawati would also be an ally in UP.

Mr Pawar said the Prime Ministerial candidate would be decided after the polls. “There will be a repeat of 2004 when Opposition parties joined hands and we formed the government under the leadership of Dr Manmohan Singh. As of now, even Congress is not pushing its chief Rahul Gandhi’s name for the post. This is a good sign. After the results, leaders will sit together and take a decision,” said Mr Pawar.