Praful Patel, minister in the UPA government and once a staunch Sharad Pawar loyalist who has unexpectedly sided with the rebels led by Ajit Pawar, today questioned the Opposition's chances in next year's general elections and the capability of the Congress to play its part. The Opposition lacks a "central party" that is capable of getting 150 seats, he said, declaring in the beginning that he was "not talking of any individual party".
"Unless you have a big party -- do you find any party that will 150 seats next time? Of course, nothing is impossible in politics but I'm just saying by a reasonable yardstick you measure, no party is going to have 150 seats. And if you don't have 150 seats, a central party, then you can't form a coalition around that number," Mr Patel told NDTV in an exclusive interview.
"Then there is the question of acceptability. Who will be the leader? There are so many parties who will not accept another party's leader," he added.
Leaders in the faction of Nationalist Congress Party led by Sharad Pawar, have questioned the motives of party colleagues who have joined hands with the rebels.
In an interview to NDTV, Rohit Pawar, NCP MLA and grand-nephew of Sharad Pawar, has questioned why Ajit Pawar, a Leader of the Opposition in the assembly who stood a good chance to become the Chief Minister in perhaps a year's time, would rebel.
Mr Patel, who attended the Opposition unity meet in Patna last month, indicated that he was unimpressed by the Opposition's efforts. "I definitely went there, not that it was very inspiring to see that this could be a formidable Opposition to take on the BJP in 2024," he said.
Asked how he attended the Opposition meet when he was part of the group planning to cross over to the NDA, Mr Patel said, "You may not believe it, but the discussion on this issue came up last week".
He, however, underscored that switching to the BJP has been a longstanding demand of the NCP leaders and its rank and file.
"In NCP, even in 2022, when the MVA government was on verge of collapse, there was a strong conversation… our MLAs wanted to have an alliance with the BJP that time," he said.
This time, the decision was taken by an "overwhelming number of elected MLAs and other ranks in the party", he added, insisting that it was "not an individual decision".
Ajit Pawar's side has claimed support of over 40 MLAs. But Jayant Patil, leader in the Sharad Pawar faction, has said that some of the MLAs who signed up for the other side claimed they did not know what they were signing.
Such things are said to "mislead people", Mr Patel shot back. "We are veterans at this game, we have seen it… You can sign and why did you end up in the Raj Bhavan, there were cameras there," he added.
The two sides are holding crucial parallel meetings tomorrow, when the numbers would appear clearer.
Mr Patel also added that Sharad Pawar was and will remain his mentor. "He's (Sharad Pawar) a great leader, that's why I have been with him for so many years. If I need any help in future, I will go to him," he said. Asked if his requests would still be entertained by Mr Pawar, Mr Patel said one should "compartmentalise".
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