December 21, 2024

Sharad Pawar Does Not Agree With Other Opposition Leaders On The Adani Issue

By A Special Correspondent
First publised on 2023-04-08 06:27:22

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Sharad Pawar, one of the shrewdest opposition leaders, has come out in support of the beleaguered Adani group and has questioned the logic behind the combined opposition demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the affairs of the group. Pawar has said that he believes that Hindenburg had targeted the Adani group for gains and that there is no need for a JPC probe.

In an interview to NDTV (now owned by the Adani group), Pawar said that it was important to assess what issues were raised, who brought them forward and what was the background of those who brought them forward. He said that it seemed that the Adani group was being targeted. He also said that he did not agree with stalling parliament over the demand for a JPC probe. He said that given BJP's brute majority in Parliament, the JPC will be dominated by members from the ruling party and will not serve the purpose. He was of the opinion that a Supreme Court-monitored committee would be better.

Although Pawar has taken care to air his views, which are completely divergent than the views of almost all other opposition leaders, after the Parliament session has ended, it is clear that the NCP, without disturbing the efforts to unite the opposition, will not support the demand for a JPC probe any longer. Pawar seems to be telling the opposition leaders that although the Adani issue is huge, it is not the right platform to unite the opposition. He has asked the opposition to focus on local issues and strategic alliances for bringing about a broader unity.

The NCP might not be electorally strong but Sharad Pawar is an astute politician and his services will be needed if the opposition wants to fight the BJP in a united manner in 2024. Although the Congress has said that the NCP remains in agreement with 19 other opposition parties on the subject, given Pawar's views this remains in doubt. Pawar is not likely to play spoilsport when it comes to uniting the opposition but he is also not likely to support others if his views are different on the subject. It will be interesting to watch how the Adani affair progresses for the opposition after this.