MUMBAI: In a recent assembly with party members in South Mumbai, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar lauded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for its unwavering commitment to its ideology. He encouraged NCP workers to develop a similar dedication towards the progressive principles championed by social reformers such as Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and political stalwart Yashwantrao Chavan.
Pawar observed that RSS cadres exhibit steadfast loyalty to their Hindutva ideology, remaining resolute in their beliefs. He emphasized the necessity for the NCP to cultivate a cadre equally committed to the progressive ideologies of Maharashtra’s revered social reformers. “We, too, should have such a cadre base which is committed to the ideology of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, B.R. Ambedkar, and Yashwantrao Chavan,” Pawar stated.
Reflecting on the NCP’s recent electoral setbacks in the Maharashtra assembly elections, Pawar attributed the losses to complacency following their success in the Lok Sabha elections. He noted that while the NCP became complacent, the ruling BJP-led alliance took proactive measures to address its previous electoral shortcomings. The NCP had secured eight out of ten seats in the Lok Sabha elections but managed to win only ten out of nearly ninety seats in the subsequent assembly polls.
Pawar also highlighted the party’s failure to effectively communicate its efforts towards the upliftment of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), a significant voter base. He stressed the importance of “social engineering” to bridge caste divides, particularly in the Marathwada region, which has been the epicenter of the Maratha quota movement. Recent incidents, such as the death of a Dalit man in judicial custody in Parbhani district and the brutal murder of a village sarpanch in Beed district, underscore the urgency of addressing these social disparities.
Drawing from his tenure as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister during the Marathwada University renaming controversy, Pawar recalled his direct engagement with stakeholders to resolve tensions. He advocated for similar proactive engagement and social engineering strategies to address current societal challenges. Additionally, Pawar announced plans to revamp the party by allocating 50% of election tickets to new faces in upcoming local body elections, aiming to rejuvenate the NCP’s organizational structure and strengthen its grassroots presence.
For more Insights: Watch “Sharad Pawar Praises RSS At Key NCP Meeting, Sparks Political Speculation”
Pawar’s remarks underscore a strategic initiative to reinvigorate the NCP by fostering a dedicated cadre aligned with progressive ideals, enhancing outreach to marginalized communities, and implementing organizational reforms to regain political momentum in Maharashtra’s dynamic political landscape.
Source: Web Team, C6N
