Exclusive | Lok Sabha elections 2024: Really feel bad about family split, says Rohit Pawar

Rohit Pawar with his supporters during a rally in Karmala, Solapur district. Pic/Anurag Ahire

Following the conclusion of the public rally at Karmala in Solapur district for NCP (SP) candidate Dhairyasheel Mohite Patil from the Madha Lok Sabha constituency, NCP SP faction chief Sharad Pawar left for the next rally. Meanwhile, in the remote areas, Rohit Pawar, Sharad Pawar's grandson, was surrounded by a crowd, underscoring his widespread popularity among all age groups, especially the youth. Everyone was eager to shake hands and take selfies with the young Pawar, who is regarded as an emerging leader in state politics.

mid-day caught up with Rohit Pawar in Karmala for a quick chat around a week ago. Rohit decided to stay loyal to his grandfather Sharad Pawar. As we drive through the narrow lanes of the village, we see people waiting to take selfies with the young Pawar. He ensures that they can click pictures while reminding them to make sure that they press the button in front of the ‘tutari' symbol. Rohit also stopped his car near a farmer who was waving out to him. He asks the farmer about their crop produce and what problems they are facing due to water scarcity in the region.

Pawar's supporters try to take selfies with him. Pic/Anurag Ahire

Rohit told mid-day that the election atmosphere in Maharashtra is on the side of MVA and it will win maximum seats in the state. He also said he was pained with the split in NCP as it involved family members.

You have been touring several Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra. What is your observation on the ground?
The current scenario is that people are against BJP. In 2014, on emotional grounds, people voted in favour of Modi-saheb and BJP came to power but they failed to deliver on the promises made to the people in 2014. In 2019, people once again voted for BJP thinking that they would fulfill the promises made in the second term, but again people were cheated. People have understood that BJP will not fulfil promises so they will not vote for BJP this time. There is anger among voters not just in Maharashtra but across the country. BJP is spreading hatred among people… it's creating a rift between two religions, but people have become intelligent now and so they will vote against BJP.

How do you see the Maratha reservation and Dhangar reservation issue have an impact during the Lok Sabha elections?
It is clear that BJP only cheats people. They gave Maratha reservation and when there was Congress-NCP government in state gave Maratha reservation in 2013-14, one Gunratna Sadavarte who is a supporter of Devendra Fadnavis-saheb, went to the court against the reservation. Now also when BJP and its partners in Mahayuti gave reservation to the Maratha community, Sadavarte once again approached the court. Fadnavis-saheb should have had the guts to tell Sadavarte to keep quite but he didn't do that. The government also cheated people for the Dhangar reservation, and keeping the Lok Sabha elections in mind, the BJP tried to create a rift between the Maratha and Dhagar communities over the reservation issue.

How is the response to MVA from people?
There is a lot of anger against BJP-Mahayuti among the people and the atmosphere is in favour of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). MVA will win maximum seats in Maharashtra and this is going to benefit us during the Assembly elections that are expected to take place. People are fed up with the pressure tactics including the use of government machinery which BJP is using to target politicians and parties that are in opposition and so the people will show BJP their place in this Lok Sabha election.

What do you think will be the outcome in Baramati?
I think Supriya-tai will win by a minimum margin of 3.50 lakh votes.

How do you see your role as a rising young leader, with many young and diverse followers supporting you?
People have faith in me and have certain expectations from me. I am thankful to them for all the support and love they shower on me. People are backing me because I did not fall prey to any kind of pressure tactics or threats and I took the decision to stay with Pawar-saheb and fight. The overwhelming response and support we all are getting proves that people are with us in our fight against the opposition.

Ten years down the line where do you see yourself… in state politics or in Delhi, representing Maharashtra?
In Maharashtra, on a post or in a position that I will reach due to the love and support of people, where I am able to solve genuine problems of any common man contacting me from any part of Maharashtra.

How do you feel about the division within the Pawar family following the NCP split?
As a family member, I really feel sad about what happened. But when you are fighting in politics, taking your people in confidence is very important and safeguarding the principles is important too. People are supporting our stand against BJP/Ajit-dada and their alliance partners because the people know that we are fighting for their cause. I am confident that victory will be of truth and ours.