"Slogans Not Enough. We Are Not Saints": Ajit Pawar On Joining BJP Alliance
Pune:
Justifying his decision to join hands with the BJP, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar on Tuesday said he and his colleagues were not "saints" who could remain in the opposition and be content with protesting and shouting slogans.
Speaking at an event here to mark the 26th Foundation Day of the undivided NCP, Ajit Pawar, currently Maharashtra deputy chief minister, made no definitive statement about the possibility of reuniting with his estranged uncle Sharad Pawar's faction.
"The NCP was founded on the ideologies of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj. Some people question our decision to join hands with the BJP and the Mahayuti coalition," said Ajit Pawar, who parted ways with his uncle in 2023.
"But didn't we align with the Shiv Sena in 2019? Even then, compromises were made. Just sitting in the opposition, raising slogans and taking out protest marches is not enough. We are not saints. We are here to give a direction, address people's issues, and practice the politics of inclusion," he said.
The party did not form an alliance with the BJP at the cost of ideology, Ajit Pawar claimed.
"When we decided to join the NDA and Mahayuti in Maharashtra, we saw that leaders like Chandrababu Naidu, known for secular ideology, had also aligned with the NDA. In the past, leaders such as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were also part of the NDA. Our focus is development....We want the schemes of the Centre and state government to reach the last man in society, to improve the people's standard of living and ensure that no section of society feels excluded," he said.
On speculation surrounding a possible merger of the two NCP factions, Ajit Pawar said party workers may hold differing opinions, but the final decision rests with the leadership.
"It is the party leaders who deliberate and decide on such matters," he added.
A systematic campaign was underway to spread misinformation about fund distribution by his ministry, said Pawar who holds the finance portfolio in the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP government.
"Compared to the previous budget, we have increased allocations for Scheduled Tribes," he said, referring to a row over alleged diversion of funds from the ST department for the Ladki Bahin scheme for women.
He also refuted rumours that the Ladki Bahin scheme, under which eligible women receive Rs 1500 per month, was being discontinued.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
UP govt seizes properties worth Rs 23.42 crore of jailed SP leader
Azamgarh (UP), Jun 13 (PTI) Authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh district on Friday seized properties worth Rs 23.42 crore belonging to former parliamentarian and Samajwadi Party MLA Ramakant Yadav under the Gangsters Act, officials said. District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar ordered the confiscation based on charges that Yadav, a known history-sheeter and gang leader, had acquired the assets through criminal activities, they said. The seized land spans six plots in Basahi Asrafpur village in Phoolpur tehsil.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Grit & grime: Global youths hear survival stories at Sanjay Camp
New Delhi:Just beyond the orderly elegance of Chanakyapuri lies Sanjay Camp, a jhuggi cluster wedged between privilege and persistence, where young lives are busy rewriting their fate. In this narrow maze of tin roofs and tarpaulin walls, a unique gathering unfolded on Thursday. Students from USA, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Palestine, Vietnam, Liberia, Bhutan and other corners of the world had gathered — not to volunteer or help, but to listen and to learn. Part of Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi 's summer school initiative, these international youth leaders were brought to India to see the country, but, more importantly, to confront its contrasts. At Sanjay Camp, they met teenagers, many of whom had once worked as child labourers, suffered addiction in the family or faced the looming threat of child marriage. Now, they are change-makers, leaders in their own right. At just 16 or 17 years in age, they had helped declare their community child-labour-free. They had spoken out against addiction. They had fought for school enrolment. And won. "I started working when I was just 15 years old," said Rahul, now 19, recalling his time as a daily-wage brick carrier, earning Rs 200 a day to help feed his family. Across from him, Aleksandra from the US, pursuing a BSc degree in behavioural neuroscience, reflected on how she too had worked at 17 but in an air-conditioned retail store, protected by strict labour laws. "I worked at a clothing store, I wanted to save up for college," said Aleksandra. "Even though I was a minor, there were systems in place. We had shorter, regulated hours, and we weren't treated like adults. There was a clear separation, and it felt safe." Rahul had a contrasting experience, "I didn't have a choice. There were no protective measures, just long hours and survival." Then, with a big smile, he added, "But things are different now. I'm an assistant football coach. I've even had sessions at the German embassy." Beatrice from Liberia quietly listened to 15-year-old Nisha tell of how she intervened to stop a child marriage on her lane. "Abuse is common back home too," Beatrice said. "But Nisha didn't wait, she stepped up. I want that kind of courage." The interactions didn't always need words. In broken English, hesitant Hindi and bursts of laughter, barriers began to melt. Strangers became friends. Problems, though born of different geographies, found common ground. Seventeen-year-old Mahek, a Class XI student and one of the most spirited voices in the crowd, shared how Sanjay Camp now ran its own Bal Panchayat, a children's parliament. With elected representatives for roles ranging from president to environment and hygiene ministers, the colony mirrors a democratic govt. Only here, the lawmakers are teenagers, young voices who raise real issues and spark real change. As Mahek spoke, her voice rang with conviction. Among the admiring listeners was 21-year-old Namgay Choden, a law student from Bhutan. "We do have youth govts in Bhutan at many levels," Choden exclaimed, "but to see a self-sustained, grassroots govt in a slum settlement — led entirely by children — is extraordinary. If something like this could be replicated elsewhere, it would transform local awareness and accountability. " As the group of young leaders mingled, conversations turned to dreams. A delegate from Kazakhstan asked what everyone wanted to do. A camp girl expressed the wish to study law. Another mentioned theatre. Then came Carlos from Mexico, who got the loudest cheer when he said, "I want to make music videos." He looked up, pointed at the bright red tent with yellow patterns above their heads, and smiled, "Even this, just the colours, the vibe, the culture here, everything's so full of life and It's all inspiration. " Asmita Satyarthi, CEO of Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion, said, "The summer school is our first step in actioning our vision, not in a boardroom or on a campus, but in the real world, side by side with children, communities and survivor leaders across India." Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Home minister announces cybercrime training for all constables
Mangaluru: Home minister G Parameshwara announced that all constables in the state will receive training in handling cybercrimes. The training commenced recently, with training units established in every superintendent of police offices across the state. The initiative aims to make each constable proficient in cybercrime detection, the home minister said. He was speaking after launching the Special Action Force (SAF) and inaugurating the 64 new police quarters built in Mangaluru and 24 in Belthangady, here on Friday. "While the accused in 99% of the murder cases are brought to book, the crime rate has also seen a drastic decline in the state. However, there is an increase in the number of cybercrimes in the state since all police stations have been registering cases pertaining to cybercrimes and transferring the same to respective jurisdictions for investigation," he said. "We are planning to train each personnel in the police department to handle cybercrimes. Further, we will provide all required tech support to police to crack cybercrimes. The introduction of technology will help police detect cybercrimes," Parameshwara said. On the police quarters project, Parameshwara said govt wants to ensure that police personnel get convenient quarters with all facilities. Explaining his visit to a police quarters in Bengaluru, the minister said many of the personnel were living in very small rooms with no proper place to cook food. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 오스템 임플란트 받아가세요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo "Seeing their plight, I felt that those who protect the lives of others also should get all facilities in their quarters. Hence, we started building spacious police quarters, each costing Rs 28 lakh, across the state. While only 40% of the personnel are occupying police quarters at present, the department has plans to provide shelter to at least 80% of them," he said. "The quarters were built in Mangaluru city and Belthangady at a cost of Rs 21 crore, and each unit has two bedrooms, a living room, dining area, and modular kitchen in it," he added. Minister for health and family welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao said the new SAF will help in curbing unlawful activities in Dakshina Kannada, which is an educational and commercial hub. Rao said the home minister will chair a peace meeting involving all political parties, communities, education experts, organisations, and writers in Mangaluru within 10 days. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
