‘Those given responsibility could not help NCP grow’

 

 

 

Blaming the local leadership of united Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) for failing to take the party to new heights in this part of Maharashtra, National Working President of NCP (Ajit Pawar group) Praful Patel assured everyone respect from the new team. Patel avoided names of the leaders on whom he put the blame. Patel was speaking at the first State Convention held at Dr Vasantrao Deshpande Hall on Saturday. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dharmraobaba Atram, Sunil Funde, Observer Rajendra Jain, City President Prashant Pawar, Working President Shrikant Shivankar, District President Shivraj Baba Gujar, State Vice President Abha Pandey, Anil Ahirkar, Satish Shinde, Naresh Arsade and others shared the dais.

 

New office-bearers, while delivering their addresses, blamed the party leadership in Nagpur. They alleged that they neither received required freedom nor they were heard. Most people also brought to the attention of Patel that, NCP remained limited to Hingna and Katol. Replying to the complaints raised by the party office-bearers in the convention, Patel spoke in an aggressive manner. He said, “I am aware of what has happened in this part. For the last three years we gave special attention to Vidarbha with an aim to spread the wings of NCP in the region, but the outcome was not satisfactory. Now we have to forget the past and start working afresh.” The convention witnessed overwhelming crowd as Dr Deshpande hall was fully filled. Many standing outside watching the meeting proceedings on the big screen arranged in the hall premises. Mocking at the INDIA, a new front formed by non-BJP parties, Patel stated, “I had attended its first meeting at Patna and realised that there was no substance. In fact that first meeting motivated me to split. They even failed to be unanimous on preparation of logo of the new front,” Patel commented. Patel praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that India would keep growing under his leadership.

 

Dharmraobaba Atram appealed Patel to have 50-50 seats in Vidarbha for next elections. Rajesh Mate compered the programme. Prashant Pawar, Abha Pandey, Baba Gujar, Shrikant Shivankar, Satish Shinde through their speech expressed their confidence on Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Most speakers praised the works being done by BJP, especially Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. ‘Shiv Sena had ignored CM-sharing formula’ Praful Patel made the revelation that in Maha Vikas Aaghadi (MVA), NCP had proposed that the post of Chief Minister should be shared with it. Shiv Sena had 56 seats while NCP secured 54 seats. As per the formula finalised then, the party having majority of MLAs was to get the post of Chief Minister. NCP tried to remind Shiv Sena on several occasions but it continued to ignore the formula, Patel pointed out.

 

 

“When we joined the Government, Bharatiya Janata Party assured us to have proper seat-sharing formula. We will not let our people down as far as their share is concerned,” said National Working President of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) of Ajit Pawar group while speaking to mediapersons during Meet The Press at Patrakar Club on Saturday. Patel also said, “The government in State as well as at Centre is performing well. With the surveys showing 70% response to Modi, nobody should raise any doubt about anti-incumbency factor.” Refuting claims made by Rahul Gandhi that Congress would get 60% votes, Patel said, “Modi is people’s first choice and everyone in the country has faith in his leadership.”