NEW DELHI: Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday praised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the dedication of its members. He also asked his own party to develop a workers’ base equally committed and focused on the philosophies of Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, BR Ambedkar and Yeshwantrao Chavan.
During a meeting with party workers in south Mumbai, the former Union minister observed that RSS cadres demonstrate strong loyalty to the organisation’s ideology. “We too should have a cadre base committed to the ideology of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, BR Ambedkar and Yashwantrao Chavan,” Pawar said.
Pawar addressed the poor performance of the NCP (SP) in the recent Maharashtra assembly electionsin contrast to his earlier success in the Lok Sabha polls. He attributed the decline to complacency within the party following parliamentary victories, while the BJP-led ruling alliance actively worked to address its losses. The NCP (SP) won eight of the ten seats contested in the Lok Sabha, but only ten of the nearly ninety seats in the assembly elections.
Pawar admitted that the party had failed to connect with the OBC community, a key voter base, regarding its efforts for the advancement of the community. He highlighted the importance of “social engineering” in addressing caste divisions in the Marathwada region, citing recent incidents of violence and historical tensions. He recalled his own experience as CM of Maharashtra during the Marathwada university renaming controversy, emphasizing the need for similar compromise and strategies now.
Looking ahead, Pawar announced that the NCP (SP) will allocate 50% of the tickets to new candidates in the upcoming local body elections. He also indicated plans to restructure the party organization to give it greater strength. NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) is a member of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).