Sharad Pawar rules out joining NDA, says come join us instead

Sharad Pawar has ended months of speculation over whether his Nationalist Congress Party faction would join the BJP-led NDA. Speaking at a party meeting in Mumbai on Monday, he said in clear terms that the party would not go anywhere or align with anyone, and that if others wanted to come, they should come and join his side.

Speculation had been building after Pawar's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with political circles suggesting the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party could merge and Pawar's faction could join the NDA. Such possibilities had been discussed before as well.

Following his remark that "if you want to come, come join us," political circles began speculating that it could also be an indirect message to the leadership of the Ajit Pawar faction. However, Pawar himself has not said anywhere that the remark was aimed specifically at Sunetra Pawar.

The meeting also discussed the drought situation at length. The state government has declared 265 talukas drought-affected, but Pawar said the remaining areas also needed attention. He said certain demands had been placed before the government and would be pursued in the coming days, warning that if the demands were not met, the party would take to the streets in protest.

Pawar also cautioned party workers about the growing use of artificial intelligence. He said an institute to teach AI had been started in Baramati, and expressed the view that the use of AI-linked tools in the election process could increase in the coming days. He said party leaders and workers needed to understand AI, and told the meeting that along with politics, they should also stay informed about changing technology.