Lok Sabha polls 2014: Won’t accept any post in UPA III, says Sharad Pawar

NCP chief Sharad Pawar has been hurt by Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray's criticism about him opting out of the electoral contest this Lok Sabha poll. Pawar said Uddhav, who had inherited an organization built by his father and who had never contested an election, had no moral right to criticize him. He had not lost a single election in his political career spanning five decades and had held a Cabinet rank for three decades, he said in an interview to TOI. He also spoke about BJP's PM pick Narendra Modi and said he would not hold any post in UPA-III. Excerpts:

You had said that after the Lok Sabha polls, BJP will emerge as the single largest party.

There is no change in my view. The BJP will be the single largest party, but it will not reach the magic figure required for government formation owing to the non-acceptability of Narendra Modi as PM. BJP's decision to project Modi will boomerang as he does not have the capacity to lead a team. A decade ago, though the BJP was short of a few MPs, AB Vajpayee was able to form a government owing to his towering personality. This time, even if the Congress gets less seats, it will form the government with the help of like-minded parties.

How do you assess the political situation in Maharashtra?

I don't give much importance to surveys. In 2004 too, there were predictions of a BJP sweep. We will emerge as winners. The Congress-NCP front will improve its performance. The results will
be shocking.

You are not contesting the LS polls and instead chose the Rajya Sabha route. What are your plans for the future?

It was my decision not to contest the LS polls but to enter the House of Elders. I am 73, and I think I have had enough successful innings. I held Cabinet rank posts for more than three decades. In the last 50 years, I contested 14 elections and have never seen a defeat. After the LS polls, I want to keep myself away from any government post. I would like to concentrate on building up the organisation and guide the next generation.

How do you look at the criticism by Uddhav Thackeray, who says your contribution to Maharashtra's development has been negligible?

His homework is very poor. There is no need for me to tell Uddhav about my contribution to the state. It's unfortunate that criticism has come from a person who has not contested a single election and who has got everything on a platter, courtesy his father Bal Thackeray, who always criticised me but never used the language of hatred.

NCP has seen a large number of defections in this election. Does that reflect on your leadership?

It's a fact that a few leaders deserted us, but it was unfortunate. In the Konkan, our legislator raised a banner of revolt over a local dispute. I told these leaders that for the LS poll, we must concentrate on national issues and join hands to defeat communal forces.