After purportedly informing the Election Commission (EC) that Sharad Pawar governed the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in an authoritarian manner, the faction led by Ajit Pawar has reversed its stance, asserting a deep respect for the veteran leader.
“We have not said that Sharad Pawar ran the party in a dictatorial manner before the Election Commission…Our lawyers have made some arguments which are part of their legal process,” NCP spokesperson Amol Mitkari told a news channel on Tuesday. He was responding to a question regarding an alleged submission made before the EC.
The Election Commission is presently examining the Ajit Pawar-led faction’s assertion over the NCP name and symbol, which arose from their separation from the party in July. During the initial hearing last week, it’s reported that the legal representatives for Ajit Pawar’s faction made an alleged reference to Sharad Pawar as a “dictator.” “We had conveyed our stand to our lawyers. The arguments they make are part of their process. On our part, we have made our submissions through the lawyers. The lawyers have made their arguments which is their right. But we have not said…We have high regard for Sharad Pawar…It will remain in the future as well,” Mitkari added.
Asked when the NCP realised that Sharad Pawar was running the party like a “dictator”, Mitkari said, “NCP is run as per constitutional norms. There is no place for dictatorial behaviour in our party. This party is not a party but a family. The arguments made by the lawyers are part of the judicial process…”