Sharad Pawar vying for Prime Ministership

Maharashtra Newsletter (The Navhind Times, Panaji Goa)

Pawar vying for Prime Ministership

By Camil Parkhe

When the suspended poll campaign was resumed in Maharashtra, the political observers found the State Chief Minister, Mr. Sharad Pawar, a changed person. As he went on his whirlwind tour of the State, Mr. Pawar, through his Press statements and speeches, made it clear that he was very much in the race for the Prime Ministership.

The prevalent political situation in the country following assassination for the former Prime Minister, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, has led Mr. Pawar to harbour hopes of occupying the highest executive post in the country. A shrewd and seasoned politician that he is, Mr. Pawar, however, has chosen a very cautious approach while playing his moves.

The post-assassination scenario has indicated that the Congress (I) in Maharashtra had only one person Mr. Pawar who could pull crowds and secure votes for the party in the state. Despite the disturbance of the poll campaign caused by the havoc created by the monsoon, Mr. Pawar addressed a series of election rallies in Western Maharashtra and Konkan. His speeches at these rallies clearly marked a departure from his State-based themes.

In most of the places, the Chief Minister focused the electorates attention on the various challenges faced by the nation, especially in the aftermath of the brutal killing of the former president of the Congress (I).

Last year when his supporters planned a gala function to celebrate his fiftieth birthday, Mr. Pawar had stated that he had no plans either to remain in politics for long or to move to the Centre. He had voiced his intention of devoting himself for his pet topic-horticulture – after his retirement from politics. Now with the Congress (I) yet undecided about its leader in Parliament, the Chief Minister seems to have a change of thought about his future plans.

Last week, when the Chief Minister arrived in Baramati, his home town in Pune district, to cast his vote, a large number of media personnel representing the national and international newspapers, including a BBC correspondent, descended on Pune to meet him. Fully realizing importance of his coverage in the media at this crucial juncture, Mr. Pawar, on his part, was too, willing to talk to these media persons.

While travelling from the Pune Circuit House to the Lohegaon airport in his car, Mr. Pawar spoke to this correspondent and a select group of journalists about his future plans. During this interview, Mr. Pawar made it amply clear that he would be willing to take up an important position at the Centre if hid Congress (I) party secures majority in Parliament and is called upon to from the next Government.

Excerpts from the interview :

Question : Do you perceive yourself as the strong contender for the Prime Ministership ?

Answer : It is too premature to answer this question as the results of the Lok Sabha polls are still awaited. The Prime Minister will be selected by the party which secures majority in Parliament.

Question : Would you stake your claim for the Prime Ministership if the Congress (I) is voted to power ?

Answer : Why are you asking me to move to the Centre? I’m happy with the Maharashtra State affairs. But if the party wants me to take any post at the Centre, I would not hesitate. The decision in this regard totally rests with my party. If feel the Issue of me moving to the Centre is very hypothetical. If the Congress (I) does not secure a majority in Parliament, why should I enter into the national politics? In that case, the leader of the Congress (I) Party will be the Opposition leader. I cannot occupy this post since I am not even contesting the Lok Sabha election.

Question : So, you would move to the national politics, only if your party secures a majority to form the Government?

(Mr. Pawar laughs and evades a direct answer.)

Question : A recent poll conducted by a private agency has indicated that a large number of people prefer Mrs. Sonia Gandhi for the Prime Ministerial post. What is your comment?

Answer : I have not read the results of this poll. But I do not believe in such polls. I believe in what the people feel. Such polls do not necessarily reflect the wishes of the masses.

Question : For first time, there has been a talk giving the Prime Ministerial post to a leader coming from outside the cow belt. Your name is at the in this list of leaders from South India.

Answer : The issue of South and North has never arisen while selecting the Prime Minister of the country. The person for this highest post has to be elected while considering the nation as a whole. In fact, there is no South and North divide on this issue. This time, too, the Prime Minister will be selected by the Congress (I), if it comes to power, by adopting a broader outlook and after considering various factors.

Question : Your present willingness to shift to the Centre, “If the party desires”, marks a departure from your earlier stance of restricting yourself to the State affairs. Why this sudden change of heart?

Answer : The situation in the country has changed now. In politics, one takes decision as per the prevalent situation. Now I’m willing to move to the centre politics, but again as I told you, it is subject to my party’s wishes.