Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has hailed the legacy of former Chief Minister and stalwart Yashwantrao Chavan while skipping any mention of his political mentor, uncle and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar.

In an open letter marking his 100 days in the ruling dispensation, Ajit Pawar cited the prevailing social and political landscape as important factors behind his switch to the NDA.

“In the past, big political leaders have taken decisions with different political stands in the history of Maharashtra’s politics. The existing social and political situations force political leaders to make such decisions. The NCP under my leadership had taken a similar decision to join the government on July 2, 2023,” referring to his past dissent against Sharad Pawar’s leadership.

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Ajit Pawar also sought to draw a connection with the legacy of Maharashtra’s first chief minister, the late Yashavantrao Chavan, a figure revered by the elder Pawar as a political mentor. This strategic move appears to counter Sharad Pawar’s directive, which had previously prohibited the display of his photographs on banners and posters.

“I have said many times that (Maharashtra’s first chief minister) late Yashavantrao Chavan’s motto of ‘supporting Bahujans through power and answerability towards people’ is my inspiration,” Ajit Pawar stated.

“With this in mind, our Nationalist Congress Party will work in government on the principle of ‘commitment towards the development and ideology of Bahujans’ (Vasa Vikasafha aani Vichar Bahujanancha),” he said in his letter.

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Pawar also asserted his position as the national president of the NCP and affirmed the party’s dedication to following the path of social reformers like Mahatma Phule, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, and BR Ambedkar. The NCP also draws inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and strives to uphold his legacy of welfare policies.

Assuring continued efforts towards public welfare and issue resolution, Ajit Pawar stated, “The work of me and my colleagues in the near future will prove that the NCP is actively working to protect the interests of Maharashtra’s farmers, youth, women, and different social groups.”

He highlighted the party’s dedication to addressing critical concerns such as unemployment, economic empowerment, education, healthcare, and the effective implementation of welfare schemes through the state government.

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Ajit Pawar expressed his acceptance to constructive criticism.

“I believe in positive and developmental politics. Completing the work undertaken and bringing positive difference in the lives of people through that is my style of functioning,” he said.