Mumbai, April 7 A day after NCP leader Parth Pawar criticized the Congress for fielding a candidate in the Baramati assembly by-election, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule stated that contesting elections is a constitutional right, and the Grand Old Party deserves respect.
Speaking to reporters, Sule also said that she and NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar had been invited by NCP leaders to be present when Parth's mother and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar filed her nomination for the by-election on Monday.
Parth Pawar had said on Monday that the Congress would "suffer" for fielding a candidate against Sunetra Pawar, which drew a rare public rebuke from NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, who questioned the "political maturity" of his grandnephew. Pawar senior stated that the Congress has the right to contest an election as an independent political party.
The April 23 by-election was necessitated by the death of NCP chief and Sunetra Pawar's husband Ajit Pawar in an air crash on January 28.
When asked about Parth's comment and Sharad Pawar's reaction, Sule said, "In our family, when elders speak, we listen, and personal advice is given at home, not publicly. I was brought up with this principle and follow it in both my family and in politics."
The Baramati MP further stated that the Congress played a role in the Independence movement and has worked for the progress and development of the country.
She said that the party has the right to contest an election as per the Constitution drafted by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
"It is a party that works within the framework of the Constitution and it deserves respect. I have contested elections with the Congress support and guidance. We have grown up with the Congress ideology," said Sule, whose father Sharad Pawar parted ways with the grand old party in 1999 but subsequently formed an alliance with it.
She also stated that NCP leaders Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil had invited Sharad Pawar and her to Baramati when Sunetra Pawar filed her nomination for the by-election.
"Pawar saheb had to take oath as a Rajya Sabha member in Delhi, so he could not be there," Sule said, while not giving the reason for her absence.
She also evaded a direct reply when asked if she would visit Baramati for campaigning.
The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti had sought an unopposed election of Sunetra Pawar as a mark of respect to her late husband. The NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) too did not field candidates, but the Congress chose to contest by announcing the candidature of Akash More.