NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar appears to be foreseeing a reshaping of the opposition after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as he observed that in the next few years, many regional parties may work closely with the Congress.
In an interview with The Indian Express, Pawar said some of these parties may even look at the option of merging with the Congress if they feel that such a decision is best for their party.
When asked if this applies to his party as well, he said he does not see any difference between the Congress and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar). "Ideologically, we belong to the Gandhi, Nehru line of thinking.”
However, he was quick to clarify that he was not making any sort of commitment in this regard, saying, "Without consulting colleagues, I shouldn’t say anything. Ideologically, we are close to them (the Congress) — any decision on strategy or the next steps will be taken collectively."
He claimed that even Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, is positive about working together with like-minded parties.
He noted that a large section of political parties don't like the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and they are beginning to come together, and added that the mood of the nation is turning against Modi.
Pawar praised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying he enjoys substantial support within his own party and managed to build rapport with the regional parties as well. “All I am saying is that the situation demands that we work together, that is the general thinking (in the Opposition) – and we should give a stable government if we are elected," he was quoted as saying.
