Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) executive president Praful Patel made a big statement on Friday. He said that when his party joined the BJP-led coalition, it was clear to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that NCP would not compromise with the ideology of ‘Phule-Shahu-Ambedkar’.

Significantly, a large faction of NCP MLAs led by Ajit Pawar separated from Sharad Pawar’s undivided party in 2023. After this, this group joined power with BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction). This statement of Praful Patel has come out in this background.

Condition kept in meeting PM Modi

Praful Patel said in an event, “When we first met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we had made it clear that whatever your ideology is, we are with you. But we want to maintain the ideology of Phule-Shah-Shah-Ambedkar. We will work accordingly and there will be no compromise in this matter.”

Patel’s statement came at a time when the opposition is constantly raising the question that how will the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) maintain its ideology by staying in power?

Praful Patel has responded to this that even in the government, his party will move forward on the policies and values of social reformers Jyotiba Phule, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj and Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar.

Target on opposition too

However, Praful Patel did not directly name anyone, but his statement is considered to be the answer to the opposition. Opposition parties are constantly saying that NCP is losing its identity by joining power. Patel made it clear that staying in the alliance does not mean that the party should give up its basic thinking.

Look at the upcoming elections

This statement is also important in view of the upcoming elections. It is necessary for all parties to strengthen the hold on OBC and Dalit community in Maharashtra. In such a situation, emphasizing the ideology of ‘Phule-Shahu-Ambedkar’ on behalf of NCP is also being considered as an electoral strategy.