In NCP, Pawar sahib's word is the last, says Ajit Pawar

Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar exclusively speaks to DNA correspondent Sudhir Suryawanshi, clarifying that his son Parth's candidacy from Maval Lok Sabha cannot be called a dynasty or one of family politics. Parth's candidature is demanded by local leaders and their ally, Peasant and Workers Party (PWP). He also said that there is no power tussle in his family. In our family, Pawar sahib's word is the last and is accepted by all

Why do yoy think is Prime Minister Narendra Modi continuously attacking NCP and its chief Sharad Pawar and even alleged Ajit Pawar for hijacking the Pawar's NCP?

Frankly, I don't know why PM Modi is targeting us only. His allegations against me, hijacking the party, is not at all true. In our family and party, Pawar saheb's is the last word. I wish to remind Narendra Modi's past statements made in Baramati. He had said, "Sharad Pawar is his Guru". Besides, senior BJP minister Arun Jaitley said that, if India wanted development, we should have more 100 Baramati like cities across the country. Every one has praised the Baramati's development model. Criticising us during the polls will not help them to get votes at all. People will not believe in this propaganda.

NCP has been criticised as one family party or dynastic party. Why?

These are baseless allegations. In every party, there is dynasty. If people are voting them and giving opportunity in every elections, then dynastic allegations do not hold the truth. Sharad Pawar had developed barren land like Baramati, then Supriya is carrying his legacy. In Parliament, she was the person who attended almost all sessions and raised highest numbers of issues. She also received the best parliamentarian award.

Is there opposition for your son Parth Pawar candidature in Maval?

There is no opposition at all. Initially, we had received a couple of prospective candidates' names for Maval Lok Sabha. While choosing the names, there were no strong names that emerged who can defeat the Shiv Sena. We lost Maval from last two consecutive elections. Besides, the Peasant and Workers Party (PWP) is strong in some part of Maval such as in Panvel, Uran and Karjat. The PWP leaders demanded the Parth as a candidate. So, due to the absence of strong candidate, Parth's name was chosen. He is young and I am hopeful that people will accept him as well.

Is true that due to Parth's candidacy, you as state leader but holed up in Maval belt while Sharad Pawar is concentrating in Baramati and Ahmadnagar Lok Sabha constituency?

Its not true. We are not neglecting any constituency that is fought by NCP. We are contesting only 20 Lok Sabha seats. We had already campaigned in these areas. And as per the demand of local constituency, myself, Pawar saheb, Dhananjay Munde and Chhagan Bhujbal has been campaigning it.

Parth Pawar (2nd from left) files his nomination papers for Lok Shabha polls from Maval

What are the issues that people will see while exercising their vote. Is nationality or national security or unemployment and rural distress?

The security of our country is very important. But the BJP should not mix military with party. The two are different things. The success of airstrike is of our air force, not the BJP as a party. Besides, BJP leaders started calling military as Modi Sena. The Prime Minister, instead of asking vote on development and progress agenda, is appealing people to vote on the name of martyr and surgical strike. This is very unfortunate. I have seen several elections, but never seen such politicisation of military for vote. In rural area, people are not getting water for drink, animals are not getting feed. Migration has started in drought areas like Marathwada. In cities, the highest unemployment in last 40 years. We need to fight elections on real issues and not on reel and non-issues. The GST and notebandi have damaged the small-scale and real estate sectors badly. Poverty is increasing and the rich became richer.

Who will be your first target, BJP or Shiv Sena, in this elections campaign?

We have been fighting many Lok Sabha seats against the Sena. Sena also enjoyed the power equally so they are equally responsible. Here Maharashtra was facing the severe drought, and Sena leadership went to Ayodhya and did the Aarati on the bank of river. We thought that they will go to Ayodhya and resolve the dispute of Ram Temple and temple constructions will also start. Sena president Uddhav Thackeray could not even complete his father late Bal Thackeray's memorial in Mumbai and went for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. It is hilarious.