As stand-off with Congress continues, NCP to meet on Monday to decide future course
Even as a member of the Congress Core Group that met on Friday evening at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s residence to discuss the crisis arising out of a rift with the party’s most reliable ally, Nationalist Congress Party, told journalists that “all matters stand settled,” the NCP decided to pull out of the UPA government and support from outside.
NCP leaders Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel informed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that they were resigning from the government to protest against the way the Congress had treated their party. In a separate communication, they wrote to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, informing her that the NCP would support the government from outside.
Meanwhile, in the past 24 hours — after it became known that the NCP was upset with the Congress — the party has gone into overdrive to mollify its junior partner from Maharashtra.
Mr. Pawar met Dr. Singh on Thursday evening and Ms. Gandhi on Friday morning, and both urged him not to press his resignation. Through the day, the Prime Minister made a conciliatory statement about Mr Pawar, one that was echoed a few hours later by Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi.
“Sharad Pawar is a very valued colleague of mine,” Dr. Singh told PTI, stressing, “whose knowledge, wisdom and experience are a great asset to our government.” Mr. Dwivedi said: “Mr. Pawar is a very senior and respected colleague and leader, whom we hold in high esteem.” He added that he was sure that whatever differences existed between the two parties would be resolved through dialogue.
In the letters to the Prime Minister and Ms. Gandhi, Mr. Pawar has said the NCP would like to keep out of the government and focus on its growth since it is small, and elections are approaching. In his discussions with the two leaders, he raised lack of coordination within the UPA and the fact that the Congress did not think it necessary to discuss governance issues with its allies.
After his meeting with Ms. Gandhi, Mr. Pawar met senior party leaders.
Later, Mr. Praful Patel told journalists that the NCP was “unhappy with some aspects” of the functioning of the government and the larger coalition, and this was conveyed to the Congress leadership. He stressed that UPA-II was entering the last two years of its term, and the NCP wanted the government to be “more decisive” and “more committed” to the issues before the people. The NCP leader, however, rubbished reports that Mr. Pawar was denied the number two slot in the government. The NCP will meet again on Monday to discuss its future course of action — giving the Congress the weekend to come up with a solution.
Meanwhile, sources in the NCP said there was no single issue that led to the two parties coming to breaking point: the sense is that as the UPA looks like a sinking ship, the NCP needs to either chart its own course so that it can stay afloat — and improve on its numbers — in 2014, when the next Lok Sabha elections are due, or shake the Congress out of its stupor to act “decisively” and give ballast to the NCP. The party is also upset that while allies such as the Trinamool Congress have forced the government on many occasions to reverse its decisions, the NCP’s cooperation has never been acknowledged.
Keywords: Sharad Pawar, Praful Patel, NCP-Congress rift, UPA government
When country is facing severe drought, Pawar is running away from his responsibility as Argiculture Minister. Why NCP is still supporting Chavan govt from inside, at state also, they must provide outside support
Shardji may worried about upcoming elections (Loksabha & Mah Assembly) in 2014, that is why all this drama is started, when you are not satisfied with congress then simply quit. Outside support means you have some internal understanding and you are just trying to make public fool as all politicians and political parties are doing. Mamtaji, shardji and other allies are demanding power from congress but congress is not going share what they want because all required positions and powers are already given to them.
What is report card of Pawar and Patel? Both are abysmally failed in their respective jobs. Mr.Patel bungled up the aviation ministry and coolly changed office. Powar had no answer to the rotting million of tons of food and the problem of food inflation, they want credit for what? Elevated position for what? It was decent of PM to respectfully say that Powar is a valued collegue,but Pawar knows he is not.Coalition Dharma does'nt apply to only major partner, everyone in the UPA should work towrds the good of the country as one team,Day in and day out politicking is all that they do. Its better PM accepts their resignation and replace with a real effecient men for the job.
He wanted second in chief position for looting the country. That leaves
who in the UPA wielding the most MP power, probably DMK and Mamata, once
mamta withdraws, this govt will fall. Now Mamata can demand the post
left by PAwar, because Agri portfolio will be very relevant for her
stature in UPA. Didi, demand Agri portfolio for the party or pull
the plug, let them fall...
Everyone knows that NCP and Congress are two sides of the same garbage
and they will finally reconcile after giving little more share of their
corrupt money. The CBI does not investigate the HM fraud in 2G but keen
to use CBI to find out whether a certificate has been forged in Ramdev
institute. These leaders should not be compared with brutes as the
brutes will be angry then.
Mr.Sharad Pawar is a shrewed Politician and a leader of a status.
Keeping in view of the 2014 General elections and the unpopularity of
the UPA leadership due to the present corruption allegatons and cases
against many MPs, he may be feeling better to be away from the power and
support it from outside.
as the parliament election is approaching NCP like to keep distance from congress as congress may not get popular support from the mass due to recent corruption and price rise issues.
The congress has enough bandicoots in their own party, they don't want
any outsider to come and share their loot....
Going by the developments for the last few months every constituent of the UPA, including
the Congress party appears to be determined to commit harakiri individually and jointly and
pave way for a general poll mich before 2014. EC , watching the evolving situation, hopefully,
must have geared up its machinery to meet the needs of a snap poll. Voters must make up
their mind to vote out all the present constituents of the UPA to bring about the needed
change. The new coalition whatever be its form will certainly be not worse than the present
regime. So far, so good !
I hope the posturing by NCP pushes UPA II positively to reforms and bold moves.
Hope NCP comes out strong and mitigates moves by some of the allies who may be
pulling for their own agenda.
mr.pawar is valuable personality of indian politics.disregarding him will painful to any party.
The fact is, rats are jumping the sinking ship.
There will be a solution for this during the weekend, and the NCP will say - all is well. The two NCP leaders Pawar and Patel will be offered plum posts like Defence ministry and Aviation ministry, etc. during the next cabinet reshuffle, and the NCP will then say they just had some minor issues that were sorted out through dialogue.
With 8 seats in Parliament, Sharad Pawar wants to be the #2 man in the
cabinet. If he really wanted to serve the country, what does it matter
if he is #2 or #3!
It has been wisely said that the strength of a chain depends on its weakest link. Likewise,the strength of a coalition government depends on the kind of support its major partner - leading it - gets from the rest - even from the weakest among them. That being the case, there is imperative need for meaningful prior discussions and broad consensus before taking policy decisions. In this regard, Trinamool Congress found fault with the Congress party on many occasions and forced the reversal of certain vital decisions taken by the latter. Now, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, a key ally has come up with its protest and threatened to quit the government, offering issue-based outside support. With hardly two more years left for the next general elections, this development is not in the best intersts of the Congress party. It has to take the allies into confidence before taking major decisions. The writing on the wall is very clear. The earlier it wakes up the better it would be for it.
This has more to do with Maharashtra Politics where a honest Chief
Minister is slowly trying to assert and bring in accountability with the
Ministers. Now that the Thakre Cousins in Maharashtra are uniting,NCP
will not precipitate but only soften their stand.Congress may oblige by
making Pawar also a number 2 along with Antony and make him Chairman of
an important Cabinet Committee.
I am fondly waiting for a day when people regain self-respect and stop begging for positions. Careerists thriving on the strength of others can hardly take ideological postures.
Pawar is reading the situation well. With Pranab as the President smarting being sidelined during Rajiv years, will make difficult for the Gandhi family to capture power. With Rajul Gandhi willing to take more responsibilities, the party will lose more seats (and deposits) in the next election. It's time for Pawar to hitch up a new relationship or go it alone. Time from now till next election to sort things out. Smart move Sharad.
Jagan Ronanki, you should understand that Pawar and NCP are real
opportunists. They broke off from Congress citing Sonia gandhi's
foreign origin, fooled all their supporters to vote for them. And,
what do they do after getting power. Conveniently forgot why they
broke off from Congress and joined govt. of the very same Sonia Gandhi
led congress. Now, what they are doing is to find an excuse to exit
the alliance after enjoying power and the best part, now that
elections are round the corner and UPA seems destined to sink. What is
their new story to fool the people of Maharashtra? Just wait and watch
what Pawar will do next?
Karunanidhi has threatened several times...... Mamtha is doing it on a
day today basis. And now it is Pawar's turn. None will leave
power..... nor Congress will allow any of them to go...... These r all
cheapest political gimmicks........ none even threatens (to leave) when
prices shoot up or on Sri Lankan issue or on other national issues.
But they threaten to leave only when their personal/family/party
interests r affected. None is a "Nationalist" in the true sense of the
term; every one is a narrow-minded self-centred politician. We the
general public will read newspapers and watch TV and forget it the next
minute. This Great Indian Thamaashaa will go on and on and on
what is the bargain for giving outside support? will it be made public ? may be
another drama like our Didi Mamta. This drama may be for keeping media from
some other critical issue -
I now and then peep into beta.thehindu.com. Today I am disappointed.
Motormen strike is going on in Western Railway and no trains from
Churchgate. My daughter (college going) is traveling in Bus from
Kasturi Building to Borivli. However, there is no news of the flash
strike. Is it not important to flash the news? Definitely it is not
hard copy news for THE HINDU. Defninitely it can be a news for
internet readers. I am pained.
Congress High Command should understand that Pawar is not only a Key Ally in UPA, he is also a crucial partner in Maharastra politics. He should be informed in all the key decisions and being rewarded as a Number 2 in Cabinet.
I dont understand this statement - Still with UPA but disagree with GOVT functioning. As per my understanding if you are supporting any party in centre means, you are agree and have trust in the functioning and Vision of that party. If two parties are not having same vison and disagree with the functioning and still together..It clearly means.. you are blackmailinn another party and you are together because of your own intereset..
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