The NCP parliamentary party will meet on Tuesday to decide on the party’s furture course of action. According to sources, the party would express confidence in Agriculture Minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s leadership and also work out a strategy to counter the criticism against its leader by the Congress party for not being able to address the waste of foodgrain and the lack of proper warehouses.
The meeting is crucial keeping in view of Pawar’s request to the Prime Minister asking him to reduce his ministerial burden so that he could invest more time for the organisation of his party.
An NCP MP, who did not want to be identified, told Business Standard, “One thing is clear, as the coalition partner of the UPA government, NCP will support all decisions in the Parliament. But, the party will also make sure to defend Pawar and refute allegations made against him. Our party chief has already made it clear that decisions with regard to measures for tackling price rise in particular are taken up by the Cabinet committees.”
The party would also come out in support of the government’s decision to boost agriculture growth and streamline the public distribution system.
The MP said the differences between Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh on getting an environmental clearance for the Navi Mumbai international airport would also come up for discussion.
“NCP will fully back Patel who has already made it clear that the Navi Mumbai airport should take place on the designated site and it should be cleared without further delays. Party MPs may take up the issue by using various parliamentary devices,” he said.
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NCP sources said the meeting would also deliberate on the present situation in Jammu & Kashmir.
The party is expected to seek Pawar’s guidance on NCP’s growth plans, as a section of the party had alleged that Congress was not giving enough political space to its coalition partners. The NCP will also make a strong pitch for an urgent meeting to be convened by the Congress party with all its coalition partners to make room for further coordination.