Sharad Pawar Commends RSS for Its Commitment and Calls for NCP to Embrace Progressive Ideals

Sharad Pawar, leader of the NCP SP, commended the RSS for its steadfast dedication to its ideology. He urged his party to cultivate a similar commitment among its members towards the progressive ideals of social reformers like Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, BR Ambedkar, and political figure Yeshwantrao Chavan. Pawar addressed party workers in south Mumbai, highlighting the unwavering loyalty of RSS cadres to their Hindutva ideology.

Pawar reflected on the NCP SP's poor performance in Maharashtra's November assembly elections. He noted that after their success in the Lok Sabha elections, they became complacent. Meanwhile, the BJP-led Mahayuti took swift action to address its setbacks from the parliamentary polls. The NCP had performed well in the Lok Sabha elections, winning eight out of ten seats contested in Maharashtra.

Commitment to Social Reform Ideals

Pawar stressed the importance of building a cadre base committed to the ideologies of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, BR Ambedkar, and Yashwantrao Chavan. "We, too, should have such a cadre base which is committed to ideology of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, BR Ambedkar and Yashwantrao Chavan," Pawar said. He emphasised that this commitment is crucial for advancing social reforms.

The former Union minister highlighted the need for social engineering to bridge caste divides in Marathwada. This region has been central to the Maratha quota movement. Recent incidents like a Dalit man's death in judicial custody in Parbhani and a village sarpanch's murder in Beed underscore this need. Both districts are part of Marathwada in central Maharashtra.

Strategic Changes and Future Plans

Pawar announced that 50% of tickets for upcoming local body elections would go to new faces. He also mentioned plans to revamp the party organisation to bolster its strength. The NCP Sharadchandra Pawar is an integral part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance.

Reflecting on past challenges, Pawar recalled his tenure as Maharashtra CM during the Marathwada university renaming controversy. He engaged with stakeholders directly at the university then and believes similar engagement is necessary now. Such strategies can help address current social issues effectively.

The NCP's failure to communicate its efforts for OBC upliftment was another concern Pawar raised. This group forms a significant votebank that was not adequately reached during the elections. Addressing these communication gaps is essential for future electoral success.