Will persuade Sharad Pawar to go to Rajya Sabha, says NCP

Although Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar has been reportedly saying that he would not contest the next Lok Sabha elections and will make way for a younger leader, the party says it will send him to Rajya Sabha.

When DNA questioned deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar about it, he said, “This is not for the first time that he has said so. He is over 70 years old and considering his age, he has been saying he does not want to contest elections any more. However, we can persuade him to go to Rajya Sabha.”

Party spokesperson Ankush Kakade said, “We require his guidance. His presence is needed. A leader of Sharad Pawar’s stature is required to represent the state in Delhi. Even if he says he does not want to contest the next Lok Sabha elections, we will persuade him to go to Rajya Sabha.”

“I am sure Sharad Pawar will not break our hearts if we insist,” Kakade said.

Observers to feel that Sharad Pawar may consider the request from his party, as his presence in the national capital would help NCP maintain and consolidate its position in politics. They also pointed out that Pawar has been playing a vital role in the NCP’s relationship with other national parties.

Meanwhile, Pawar will be the star attraction of the NCP’s poll campaign in major cities across the state. Ajit Pawar said that his uncle will campaign in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nashik and Solapur.