Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) Sharad Pawar, the party president, said on June 29 that the reference to Emergency made by Om Birla in his speech was not suitable and did not befit the Speaker’s position.
“While speaking to journalists at Kolhapur city, Mr. Pawar insisted that his nephew Ajit Pawar’s budget announcement sops of June 28th were only meant to show off their party activities before state Assembly polls.
After being elected as Lok Sabha speaker, Om Birla caused a storm yesterday by reading a resolution condemning declaration of emergency as an act against the constitution by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.”
Pawar responded, “The Emergency was already half century ago. Indira Gandhi is no longer alive. Then why does he mention this now?” “Is it appropriate for a speaker to make political remarks? We think that his remark was inappropriate. The President’s speech also had one line about this issue which was also uncalled for,” he added.
On Rahul Gandhi taking up Leader of Opposition’s post Mr. Pawar stated that the party with highest number of MPs among opposition parties gets to decide who becomes Leader of Opposition.
“The MPs of Congress decided to elect Rahul Gandhi as their leader which is partly a representation from new generation with political background and willingness to work hard. I am confident that he will do well,” said Mr. pawar
Mr.Pawar then went on attacking BJP saying: However, before they talk about ‘Congress-mukt Bharat’, they have to know how many seats they had before this LS elections and how many they have now.
“BJP has no majority in parliament Without Nitish kumar and Chandrababu Naidu, they would not have formed a government. They may try denying it however; there is clear truth -they do not have public mandate”, claimed the old politician.
Commenting on the State Budget, he said: “What kind of budget is this? This was already publicized before the presentation in Vidhan Bhavan, free education for girls, ₹20,000 for each dindi (group) participating in Pandharpur wari (pilgrimage). It has two meanings – first, we cannot maintain the tradition of keeping budget secret; and secondly, none of these provisions are going to be implemented.
“This budget is being tabled in view of assembly elections scheduled within three months. All those promises made in the Budget have no provision under any head in it. How can I spend ₹100 when I have only ₹70? More than that Mr Speaker Sir, this Budget is just meant to show that we are doing something massive but I know people won’t believe.” He concluded.
The issues the government needs to address are; how much money have you collected, how much are you planning to spend and then how do we fill the difference between the two? But if the government is not willing to make provisions for this gap, how can it promise to effect the guarantee? This Budget does not make sense in a way. I am still wondering if they will be able to implement this budget fully,” he said.
Commenting on reports that MLAs from Ajit Pawar’s faction were set to rejoin his party, Mr. Pawar stated, “Jayant Patil (Party’s State unit chief) and others know about it but I haven’t met anyone personally. We shall see who turns up. Do you have names?” Mr. Pawar added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted rallies in 18 constituencies (in Maharashtra) during the Lok Sabha poll campaign. And In 14 of these constituencies, the Mahayuti candidate lost the election.
“I would request Modi ji that as many speeches should be given by him as possible before Assembly elections,” he requested. Talking about MVA’s readiness for Assembly polls, Mr. Pawar said decisions will be taken collectively by allies.
“Parties like PWP/AAP which stood with us in INDIA bloc during General Elections will be included within MVA”. On being asked about chances of MVA in future he replied “In Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha election of 2019, MVA was leading on 155 seats out of 288.”
“That means if things continue like this for state elections it is obvious that we will form next government.” Lashing out at BJP for using central investigation agencies against political opponents.
“You sent two Chief Ministers of States to jail one has come out yesterday then MPs or MLAs or ministers from West Bengal put them into jail. When lower courts pass verdicts against you, you appeal those decisions immediately and put leaders back in jail. That’s the way agencies are being deliberately tampered and misused,” he alleged.
Speaking on the recent Delhi airport roof collapse and former Union Minister said projects are hurriedly completed without verifying quality of work. Even before elections, projects have been announced, inaugurated and they’ve been opened for use by the public. This was bound to happen” he said.
