Pune: We should have got more seats in Lok Sabha but I compromised for the unity in Maha Vikas Aghadi: Sharad Pawar

Pune: All parties are bracing for the State Assembly elections. Political atmosphere is heating up over the Maratha quota issue. Meetings are being conducted to draft strategies. In this backdrop, NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar has made a statement causing discussions in political circles.

There is tension in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Pawar’s remarks indicated that unanimity has been eluding the opposition alliance. He said, “My party should have got more seats. However, we compromised for the sake of unity in the MVA.”

Pawar was speaking at a meeting of his party’s newly elected MPs at Hotel Nisarg in the city on Friday. Besides Pawar, Jayant Patil and all newly elected MPs were present. The meeting was held ahead of the assembly elections.

He said, “We could succeed in the Lok Sabha because of the unity. Now, we must start working for the State Assembly polls. We have to win in the State, be prepared. Do work for the people as much as you can. The people in the State do not come in direct contact with Delhi (the Centre). The State faces more problems. Therefore, focus on the assembly polls.”

Meanwhile, NCP (SP) leaders expressed the confidence that they will get more seats in the State elections as Sharad Pawar was happy and content with less seats in the Lok Sabha polls. The party has a strong base in Western Maharashtra. Pawar’s statement has enthused party workers.