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| People will decide my political heir: Sharad Pawar |
| Press Trust of India / Pune Sep 29, 2009, 13:08 IST |
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NCP President Sharad Pawar, who of late is talking about his "retirement" from active politics, has said only "sanction" from people would decide as to who would be his political heir.
Pawar, in an interview to a Marathi news channel last night, was reacting to a question on speculations about his MP daughter Supriya Sule or nephew Maharashtra minister Ajit Pawar, being his possible successors in politics.
Strongly refuting the reports that relations between Ajit and Supriya could sour in future, the NCP chief said "Ajit is guiding Supriya and giving her strength in her political career." He blamed the media for raking up such issues.
"Ajit has been in Maharashtra politics for the last 20 years and has won assembly elections five times proving his abilities. The two share a good rapport," he added.
"Supriya's area of interest is mainly in national and international affairs as well as education and developmental projects. There is no need for any conflict (of interests) between the two," he noted.
Supriya won the last parliamentary elections from Baramati constituency, Pawar's strong-hold.
On talks of his retirement, Pawar said, "All those in public life have to decide one day how long one should continue in electoral politics".
On being pointed out that he had been saying this for the last ten years and still fought the last elections, he said "I fought last parliamentary elections against my wish, bowing to the pressure from state party leaders."
On the issue of NCP's merger with Congress, Pawar said there was basic difference in the functioning of the two parties.
"NCP believes in decentralisation of decision-making process as opposed to Congress," he added.
Asked about his party's poor performance in the Lok Sabha polls, Pawar said, "We made certain mistakes and were found wanting in following correct selection process for candidates. We also put trust in wrong people".
On the aspect of unprincipled politics in the country, the NCP president said the common man in India always uses his judgement while casting his vote.
"After the 1971 Bangladesh victory, Indira Gandhi rode on a wave of popularity and even Atal Bihari Vajpayee described her as 'goddess Durga'. But she was voted out in the post-emergency polls."
Pawar hoped people in Maharashtra would vote Congress-NCP to power in the ensuing assembly elections for a stable government in the state.
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