Sharad Pawar, the prominent leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi government on Friday, November 8, 2024. He alleged that the government’s primary agenda is to shield those involved in corruption and to secure power by collaborating with them. Pawar’s accusations were made during a rally in Jintur, Parbhani, where he cited a statement made by NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who is part of the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP, to bolster his claims.
Pawar pointed out that when asked why he joined the ruling alliance, Bhujbal reportedly stated that he did not want to face jail time. He allegedly said, “If we do not want to go to jail, then we have to join Modi.” This statement, according to Pawar, clearly indicates that power is being misused to suppress the opposition. He further claimed that the government is resorting to fabricating charges against opposition figures to hinder their political activities.
“Protecting those involved in corruption and joining hands with them for power is the single point agenda of Modi and his team,” Pawar asserted.
Bhujbal, however, refuted Pawar’s claims, denying that he joined the BJP-led alliance to avoid scrutiny from the Enforcement Directorate. Bhujbal had joined the Eknath Shinde government in July 2023, leading to a split in the NCP.
Pawar also criticized the government’s policies, arguing that they are detrimental to the welfare of farmers and women’s safety. He pointed out that while the previous Congress-NCP government waived farmer loans worth ₹70,000 crore, the current government’s policies are causing hardship for farmers, with soybean and cotton prices not fetching remunerative returns. He further condemned the government’s decision to ban sugar exports, calling it an anti-farmer policy.
Addressing the issue of women’s safety, Pawar highlighted the alarming increase in violence against women, citing the example of the sexual assault of two school girls in Badlapur. He also mentioned that MP Fauzia Khan had raised concerns about missing women in the state.
Pawar further questioned the government’s integrity by referencing the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Malvan in Sindhudurg in August 2024. He alleged that the incident was a result of corruption, stating that the government’s claim of the statue collapsing due to strong winds was a fabrication.
With Maharashtra Assembly elections scheduled for November 20, 2024, the state is witnessing a fierce political battle between the ruling alliance, comprised of the BJP, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, and the Maha Vikas Aghadi, a coalition of the NCP (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Congress. Pawar’s accusations and criticisms of the government are likely to further intensify the campaign leading up to the elections.
