With NCP (SP) and Ajit Pawar-led NCP likely to join hands for the PMC polls, city NCP (SP) chief Prashant Jagtap on Wednesday quit the party. (File Photo)
With NCP (SP) and Ajit Pawar-led NCP likely to join hands for the PMC polls, city NCP (SP) chief Prashant Jagtap on Wednesday quit the party but said he would contest the civic polls and fight against the BJP.
“I have been with the NCP and then NCP (SP) for 26 years, six months and 14 days under the leadership of Sharad Pawar since 1996. I worked under Ajit Pawar as well as Supriya Sule. I rose from grassroots to president in the local unit of the party. I was indebted to them. I was the mayor of the city because of them,” said Jagtap, adding his growth was due to the Pawar family.
He said, “I am ending my journey with the party. I have taken the decision to quit the NCP (SP) after discussing the situation with my supporters in the electoral ward in Wanowrie. I will be contesting the civic polls for sure but have not taken any decision of seeking candidature of any political party.”
Jagtap said he along with supporters had prepared a strategy for the civic polls but certain things cropped up “putting me in confusion”. “I will continue to be in politics and will continue to fight for the interest of the city. I don’t want to be in confusion for long so I sent my resignation to the state NCP (SP) chief,” he said.
Jagtap said he had a discussion with NCP (SP) chief, party executive president and state party chief on his stand. “Whatever my political journey will be in future, I will not have anything wrong against NCP or its leaders. I have not explored any alternative political party. I will talk to my supporters,” he said.
Jagtap said he stood by NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar in the last two and half years for two reasons which are — “veteran leader Sharad Pawar himself, whom he follows” and “also due to my upbringing in an area which has all communities and a progressive society”. “My decision is not against the decision or leadership of the NCP (SP). I am also not under the impression that I am putting my party in trouble. I am a very small person,” he said.
Jagtap said he had contested the Assembly election last year against a political party and it was wrong for him to join hands with a party against whom he had fought as it would affect his image and credibility among his supporters and voters. “I have a political career. I am not against anyone in NCP (SP),” he said. “The NCP (SP) was my asset so I don’t want to speak on it further. I still consider Sharad Pawar as my leader,” said Jagtap.
NCP (SP) executive president Supriya Sule said she was ready to hold discussion with Jagtap and would consider all his views.