VASCO: Former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) State president Jose Philip D’Souza on Wednesday said that he will continue to support Sharad Pawar as his leader and will work under him.
Reacting to the decision of the Election Commission of India (ECI) allotting the NCP name and symbol to Ajit Pawar faction, D’Souza said that it is a fact that the entire NCP was established in 1999 by Sharad Pawar and two others.
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He said that the NCP has its presence and organisations in 28 States and was even recognised as the national party. He said that presidents of 25 States had extended support to Sharad Pawar and rallied behind him.
D’Souza said that though Sharad Pawar has been asked to choose a new name and symbol for his faction, the party will challenge the decision of the ECI in the Supreme Court.
Expressing his disappointment over the happenings, D’Souza said, “I will stand by Sharad Pawar despite all odds. I am sure Sharad Pawar will find a way and ensure that the decision does not affect the party or its workers. I am confident he will build the party organisation again and make it stronger than before. I will fall prey to lucrative offers from the Ajit Pawar faction.”
