Sharad Pawar Clarifies Role in 2019 BJP Talks

In a recent statement, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar clarified his role and that of industrialist Gautam Adani during the 2019 political discussions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the undivided NCP. Pawar confirmed that the meeting took place at Adani’s New Delhi residence, where the industrialist hosted a dinner but did not participate in the political negotiations.

Speaking in an interview, Pawar revealed that key figures, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and himself, were present at the talks. The meeting occurred during the power-sharing negotiations that led to Ajit Pawar’s short-lived swearing-in as deputy chief minister alongside Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister—a government that collapsed in just 80 hours.

Pawar dismissed claims that Adani was an active participant in the discussions. “Adani provided the venue, but he had no role in the political deliberations,” Pawar said, emphasizing that the talks were strictly between political leaders.

He further disclosed that some NCP leaders, facing investigations by central agencies, were assured that joining hands with the BJP could result in relief from the cases. “My colleagues suggested hearing it directly from those making the promises. That’s how I found myself at Adani’s residence, with Amit Shah present,” he explained. Pawar, however, expressed skepticism about the BJP’s assurances, which ultimately influenced his decision not to align with the party.

Ajit Pawar, in a separate statement, had earlier confirmed that multiple meetings took place during the negotiations, with attendees including Gautam Adani, Amit Shah, Praful Patel, Devendra Fadnavis, and Sharad Pawar. Ajit also remarked that while he had borne the brunt of criticism for these events, the decisions were collective.

Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar continues his campaign trail for the upcoming Maharashtra elections. During a visit to the Chinchwad assembly constituency in Pune, he campaigned for NCP candidate Rahul Kalate, who is contesting against BJP’s Shankar Jagtap. Pawar criticized the current administration, claiming that Maharashtra’s governance has deteriorated in recent years, resulting in stagnation and setbacks in development.

The 2019 political episode remains a focal point of discussion in Maharashtra’s political landscape, with Pawar’s latest clarification aiming to separate corporate facilitation from political strategy. Whether these revelations will impact the ongoing electoral battle remains to be seen.