We will regain public faith: Ajit Pawar

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) National President and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday exuded confidence that the party will pull out all stops to regain public trust that it has somehow lost.

"After speaking with the MLAs, we have made notes and will take decisions from them and take the next step. We have humbly accepted the public mandate and will put in our lives to regain their trust," he said.

On Thursday, the NCP core committee meeting was held in the morning and the MLAs meeting was held at Trident Hotel in the evening.

Both meetings discussed the party's poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections. Pawar also informed that some MLAs could not come to the meeting due to their problems and Minister Dharmarao Baba Atram could not make it owing to an operation.

On the Opposition's claims, Pawar clarified, "There is no truth in the news that our MLAs are in contact with the opposition. All the MLAs are with us."

Pawar also expressed surprise over the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency result. "I have been surprised by the results of Baramati where I have been working for many years. No matter which election, Baramatikars always extended support and showered immense affection. I don't know what happened this time."

Pawar also emphasised that they have decided to face the public. "Discussions were held with Mahayuti leaders on all the 48 Lok Sabha seats on the mistakes made, where we fell short, why the Muslim community moved away from us, and other things".

The opposition's propaganda that the 'Ab Ki Baar, 400 Paar' slogan was aimed at changing the Constitution of India swayed the backward classes.

"Moreover, except for the Aurangabad seat, we could not get a single seat in the Marathwada region owing to the Maratha reservation issue," Pawar said.

Pawar clarified that public mandate has to be accepted "We have made notes and an appropriate decision and steps will be taken going forward. We also have to confess that these 3-4 things hit us hard," he added.