Pawar rules out any impact on UPA govt

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a crucial ally in the Congress-led UPA government, on Friday came out in open to support Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the government in general after the Supreme Court (SC) order.

Agriculture Minister and NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, who read out a portion of the order, said there has not been indictment of either the Prime Minister or the UPA government as the court has clearly observed that then minister (Raja) did not heed to the good advice of the PM. He ruled out any problems for the UPA government post apex court order. Further, he observed that the SC order would not have any major impact on UPA in the poll-bound states. Instead, he opined the UPA’s strength would be improved.

Pawar, who read out a portion of apex court judgement cancelling 122 telecom licences after consulting senior lawyers, told reporters that the order would trigger debate both within and outside India especially among investors.

Pawar said there has been a public perception that the various scams including 2G Spectrum scam have brought disrepute to the government. “However, fortunately, the apex court has not said anything against the Prime Minister or the government,” he said.

On poll-bound states, Pawar said his party was contesting in Goa, Manipur and few seats in Uttar Pradesh. “I do not see any impact. Whatever information I am getting there are fair chances of the Congress party to come to power in Punjab and Uttarakhand. Besides, Congress is expected to improve its tally in Uttar Pradesh and there is a possibility of post election alliance among the Samajwadi party, the Congress and the Rashtriya Lok Dal. I am of the view that UPA's position will be stronger once the results of these elections are declared,” he added.

Pawar also asked his ministers and party members to avoid personal attack against the Congress leaders during the ongoing campaign for the elections to the 27 zilla parishads and 10 municipal corporations in Maharashtra. Reacting to the Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan’s comment that NCP was Congrsss party’s leading competitor in the ongoing elections, Pawar however, claimed Congress was NCP’s prominent ally in the state.

On Chavan's statement that Congress was preparing for going solo in 2014 assembly elections, Pawar said it was good for NCP to work hard to consolidate its position in the state.

Without naming Chavan, the NCP chief said he takes advice of the elected leaders seriously (Chavan has been sent by Congress high command and was elected in the upper house not through any assembly seat).