Pune: The younger members of MVA seem to realise how disruptive unrestrained ambition can be. "It can severely damage alliances," said Rohit Pawar as he campaigned in Lohegaon over the weekend for his party colleague Bapu Pathare who is contesting from Wadgaon Sheri. "We are confident of winning.
But the parties and people in our alliance should not be overambitious," Pawar said. "The next generation of Pawars (including cousin Yugendra) have the responsibility of carrying on the family's legacy." He was all praise for Yugendra, for the "very courageous decision" of going up against his uncle Ajit Pawar.
It will be a tough contest — the challenger is as old as the opponent's political career. As for his own constituency, Karjat-Jamkhed, where he is contesting against BJP's Ram Shinde, Rohit said his priorities are agriculture, education, women's safety, healthcare and infrastructure. Amid numerous speeches and interactions with voters in Pune, he continued with his word of caution.
"If any party becomes overambitious and tries to cut down others, like it is happening in Mahayuti, it would be harmful. People won't accept it," he said. On Sharad Pawar's recent statement that it was time to give responsibility to the younger generation, Rohit said the idea is to take the legacy of his elders forward, without discriminating on the basis of caste or religion.
"They have certain expectations of us. It's natural," he said. "I have left my constituency's responsibility in Karjat-Ja.
