Revolt in NCP as Tariq Anwar quits party, Lok Sabha seat over Sharad Pawar defence of Rafale deal

NCP national general secretary Tariq Anwar on Friday announced his re-signation from the party and membership of Lok Sabha in protest against party supremo Sharad Pawar "shielding PM Modi in the Rafale deal".

This high-profile revolt in NCP leadership followed Pawar's statement that "people don't doubt PM Modi's intentions on the Rafale deal", which is facing allegations of corruption from Congress.

"Aggrieved by the statement of NCP President Sharad Pawar shielding PM Modi in Rafale deal, I am resigning from the primary membership of the party and my Lok Sabha seat", Anwar told ET from his constituency Katihar in Bihar over phone. "PM Modi is fully involved in the Rafale...I completely disagree with Pawarv(on the issue) ", added Anwar, who is the NCP group leader in Lok Sabha


It was the Pawar-P A Sangma-Tariq trio that formed NCP in 1999 after they were expelled from the Congress Working Committee for stating Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin could prove to be political problem for Congrees if she was projected as prime ministerial candidate.

Attacking Pawar, at what seems to be the parting point of their long accociation, former union minister Anwar further said, "PM Modi is fully involved in Rafale deal, which has been substantiated by former president of France . Modi has not cared to prove himself clean in the deal and despite this Pawar's statements, giving PM Modi a clean chit is unfortunate", Anwar further said. "This has shattered the faith of countrymen in Opposition...I have great respect for Pawr, but I can't betray the common perception over irregularities in Rafale deal"