MUMBAI — Sharad Pawar, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and a senior federal minister in the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), remained optimistic about the prospects of the UPA returning to power once again. However, he added the UPA will hold together even in defeat and Congress party will revive after the setback. “Firstly, I don't think UPA III will not be there after the polls, not on Congress party's strength alone but with support from other parties. UPA will hold together 100 percent even if the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party forms the government,” Pawar said during an interview. The NCP veteran also said he does not see Congress hunt for a new leader like Priyanka Vadra if vice-president and campaign spearhead Rahul Gandhi fails to deliver in the ongoing general elections. “Congress is a funny party. It does get setbacks, it does get revived. If the situation comes (when Congress has to sit in the opposition) a team of good leaders will work under his (Rahul's) leadership,” he said. Pawar said Rahul was doing “very well” during the campaign, traveling a lot and addressing public meetings, but felt he should have joined the government. “If he had joined as a minister in the government, he would have got better experience and people would have seen him perform. But I think he missed the bus. Dr. Manmohan Singh had openly invited him,” he said. Asked if Rahul Gandhi will be able to effectively tackle challenges from an aggressive BJP-led administration of Narendra Modi should he become the prime minister, Pawar answered in the affirmative. He said any aggressive assault on Congress will help it revive faster. “First of all I don't believe Modi will become the prime minister. Suppose that happens and there is an aggressive assault on the Congress party, the party will revive like anything because Congressmen will collectively fight, come what may,” he said. — Agencies
