Don't Want To Become UPA Chairperson Or Lead Anti-BJP Bloc, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar Says

While speaking to the media in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Pawar said, "I am not going to take up any responsibility to lead any front comprising various parties against the BJP." 

New Delhi: Amid opposition parties trying hard to build an alternative to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP),  Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar Sunday said he is not keen on leading any such front or becoming the chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), reported news agency PTI.

While speaking to the media in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Pawar said, "I am not going to take up any responsibility to lead any front comprising various parties against the BJP." 

"Recently, some youth workers of our party (NCP) passed a resolution asking me to become the chairperson of the UPA. But I am not at all interested in that position. I am not going to get into that. I will not take up that responsibility," he further added, as reported by PTI.

Pawar, however, said that any initiative aimed at providing an alternative to the BJP cannot be realised without including the Congress party. 

“You will find Congress workers in every village, district and state in the country. The reality is that the Congress, which has a wide presence, must be taken on board while providing an alternative (to BJP),” he said during his interaction with the media, reported PTI.

He also spoke about extending cooperation and support to strengthen any block that comes up against the BJP and highlighted how regional parties are giving a tough fight.

"When it is said that the Opposition should come together then some facts need not be neglected. Mamata Banerjee's TMC is the strongest party in West Bengal and they enjoy people's support. At the same time, regional parties are also strong in their respective states," said Pawar.

The NCP chief also accused the BJP of inciting communal hatred in the country for political gains. He said that films like Kashmir Files are "not based on facts " and are being used to promote animosity against minorities.

"If the head of the country says this film needs to be seen, then it means that communal poison is being spread among the society and religious differences are being created among the people," he further added.