Pune, April 7 NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Tuesday termed the remarks made by NCP leader Parth Pawar about the Congress' "downfall" in Maharashtra as "inappropriate," and called for a dialogue to ensure that the Baramati by-election is uncontested.
He stressed the need to remain grounded, regardless of whether one is in power or part of the Opposition.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president Sunetra Pawar is contesting the April 23 by-election to the Baramati assembly seat, which was represented by her husband Ajit Pawar until his death in a plane crash in January this year.
The ruling Mahayuti had sought unopposed elections as a mark of respect to the late deputy chief minister. While the NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT), part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), did not field candidates, the Congress chose to contest by announcing the name of Akash More.
Reacting to the development, Parth Pawar on Monday said the Congress would "suffer" for fielding a candidate against his mother, and added that there is a "downfall" of Congress in Maharashtra. His comment drew a rare public rebuke from NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and a sharp reaction from the grand old party.
Commenting on the remarks, Rohit Pawar said it was NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, who had earlier appealed for an unopposed bypoll, a stand that several parties respected by not fielding candidates.
Talking to reporters, Rohit said Congress nominee Akash More had filed a conditional nomination, indicating that he would withdraw if an FIR was registered in connection with the January 28 Baramati plane crash that claimed Ajit Pawar's life.
"For those in power, it is easy to act (to file FIR), but unfortunately that is not being done. The Congress' stand has been that Ajit Dada should get justice, and they have indicated that they will withdraw if the FIR is registered," he said.
Emphasising that "dialogue" is the key, the MLA from Karjat-Jamkhed in Ahilyanagar said talks must be held with the Congress to find a solution.
"Before making any statement, Parth should have thought. We do not feel his comment was appropriate," he added.
Rohit expressed confidence that the Congress would come forward to ensure that the bypoll is uncontested.
"Many a time, nomination forms are filed and later withdrawn. But that requires dialogue and maturity. The statement by Parth seems to have been made in a jiffy," he said.
He expressed hope that senior NCP leaders, including Sunetra Pawar and Chhagan Bhujbal, would engage with the Congress leadership to find a way forward.
"Whether in power or opposition, one should remain grounded. No party is finished just like that. All parties strive to strengthen their bases. Using words like downfall for the Congress was not appropriate," the NCP (SP) legislator said, adding that Parth may himself feel his remarks were "a bit overboard".
Sunetra Pawar filed her nomination papers for the Baramati by-election on Monday.
