Sharad Pawar talks about the ‘arrogance’ of Congress during the formation of Maha Vikas Aghadi
MUMBAI : Congress suddenly remembers its status as a national party when dealing with other parties and this attitude was evident during the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, said NCP leader Sharad Pawar.
In an updated version of his Marathi autobiography ‘Lok Majhe Sangati’ (People Accompany Me), which focuses on post-2015 events, Pawar accused the congress leaders of stubbornness as talks were underway to form the MVA government.
The unlikely alliance of Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena came about after the Sena fell out with the BJP after 2019 Assembly elections in Maharashtra.
“The Congress is undoubtedly central to opposition unity. But when it comes to reconciling with other parties and making them important, it suddenly realizes its nationwide power. This is my observation,” Pawar wrote in the book launched here Tuesday.
He later flagged this “arrogant attitude” from Congress in an interview in which he compared the Grand Old Party to a landlord who has lost his land and cannot maintain his mansion, but continues to boast of past glory, he said.
The attitude of the Congress during the talks, which eventually led to the formation of the MVA, tested his patience and at one point he even felt that the talks could not continue, Pawar wrote.
The NCP leader also said that Congress had contested the 2019 parliamentary election with a “defeatist” mindset, but his and the NCP’s aggressive campaign helped the party slightly increase its numbers.
Catch all the political news and updates on Live Mint. Download the Mint News app for daily market updates and live business news.