MUMBAI: In a remarkable shift from his earlier decision, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar on Monday announced that he won’t be contesting the upcoming general election from the Madha Lok Sabha constituency in Solapur district.
At the same time, he also endorsed his grandson and the son of senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar’s son Parth Pawar’s candidature from Maval Lok Sabha seat in Pune district.
“The decision was made after through discussions with party leaders and family members. There should be a limit to how many people from one family should contest pools. Moreover, I feel that the young generation needs to be given a chance. Hence Parth Pawar and Supriya Sule would contest the election,” Pawar said while announcing the decision at a press conference in Pune.
Pawar had won from Madha in 2009 but had declined to contest Lok Sabha in 2014 saying that he prefers the senior’s house.
However, as the party’s preparatory meetings for hunting candidates for Lok Sabha seats began, Pawar surprised everybody by declaring that he would be the candidate from Madha.
However, he was facing stiff opposition from the constituency that he had represented ten years back, party insiders said.
“My candidature was not announced by the party. Hence, it would be wrong to say I’ve withdrawn,” Pawar said and added that he has not gone back on his decision due to any fear or worry.
"I’ve not lost any of the elections till now and I would have loved to contest again. But, there should be a limit to how many people from a single family should venture in one election and hence I’ve withdrawn,” Pawar explained.
Pawar’s announcement of contesting from Madha helped party curb the factionalism, prospective defection and opposition to sitting MP Ranjitsingh Mohite-Patil, opined another NCP leader while justifying Pawar’s both the decisions.
Meanwhile, Pawar also said that NCP’s the final list of candidates is almost ready but, is waiting for the Congress to announce their list.
When asked, whether Mohite-Patil would be the party’s candidate from Madha, Pawar said that the decision would be conveyed once the lists are finalized.