Sharad Pawar has taken first step to join BJP, claims VBA Chief Prakash Ambedkar

The new bonhomie between Gautam Adani and the Pawar family and the political moves by both the NCPs after the industrialist visited the home turf of the family’s Baramati stronghold on Sunday has sparked a speculation that it could be an indication of a new political alignment within the NDA alliance.

Reacting to the development on Monday, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar stated that “Uncle (Sharad Pawar) and nephew (Deputy CM Ajit Pawar) have come together, which means they (both the NCPs) have merged. Sharad Pawar has taken the first step to join the BJP with the help of Ajit Pawar. Sharad Pawar’s actions are the exact opposite of whatever he says. Secular voters should not be surprised if Supriya Sule becomes a minister at the Centre and Ajit Pawar handles things in Maharashtra”.

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Responding to the two NCPs coming together, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said, “The relationship between Sharad Pawar and Gautam Adani is personal rather than political. But it should not be forgotten who split the NCP. It was Adani who split the NCP and nobody should forget that”.

Earlier on Sunday, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP and the Deputy CM Ajit Pawar-led NCP announced plans to fight the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections together in an alliance, coinciding with industrialist Gautam Adani sharing a stage with NCP founder Sharad Pawar and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar at Baramati on the same day.

Adani inaugurated the Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Baramati on Sunday and described Sharad Pawar as his “mentor”, while Baramati MP Supriya Sule referred to the Adani Group chairman as her “elder brother”.

On the occasion, Adani said, “Sharad Pawar saheb has turned Baramati into a living blueprint for the whole of Bharat to learn from. His leadership reflected a rare balance between grassroots realities and the national agenda. Beyond his knowledge, it is his wisdom, affection and deep empathy that leave the strongest imprint. That is why, for me, he has always been a mentor. Baramati symbolises the transformation made possible by the vision of an extraordinary leader.”

Sharad Pawar also praised Gautam Adani saying, “Adani built his empire from humble beginnings. He moved from Gujarat to Mumbai with limited resources and education, but capitalised on opportunities through hard work”.

Sharad Pawar’s daughter and NCP Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule said in Baramati, “We have a 30-year-old relationship with the Adani family. If I have to share good or bad news, I tell Gautam Bhai openly like a sister. He is my elder brother”.

“Gautam Bhai always comes to Baramati. He comes to wish Sharad Pawar on Diwali. I am happy to welcome him in Baramati today. They (Adani Group) have a corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund of Rs 1000 crores. In the next two years, it will go up to Rs 3,000 crore. You can imagine their turnover from this,” Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said, praising Adani’s work.

Gautam Adani had previously visited Baramati in 2022 and inaugurated a science and innovation activity centre there.