Sharad Pawar criticizes Maharashtra government over NCP split and farmers’ policies, urges defeat of ‘bullying’ leaders | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday took a sharp stand against Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde and those involved in the split of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), urging voters to defeat in the coming elections. Addressing a rally in Parli in Beed district, Pawar alleged that political bullying is on the rise and called for an end to such practices.
“I have given Dhananjay Munde as much support as possible. But those responsible for the division in our party must be defeated,” Pawar said while campaigning for Rajesaheb Deshmukh, an NCP candidate. He recalled his help to Munde and his family and pointed out the various leadership roles he had played over the years. However, he stressed that the current bullying of locals must stop.
Pawar also highlighted Parli’s important contributions to Maharashtra’s development, especially through electricity supply, but expressed concern over rising crime rates. “Our aim is to develop Beed district and address the problems of farmers, water scarcity and unemployment. Vote for Deshmukh to bring positive change,” he urged.
At a separate meeting in Udgir, Latur, Pawar criticized the Mahayuti government – a coalition comprising BJP, Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde) and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) – for neglecting farmers and not supporting the unemployed. He argued that policies under the BJP-led central government, such as import of soybeans and ban on export of sugar and onions, have hurt Maharashtra’s agriculture sector. “The backbone of local farmers has been broken by this import and export policy. Leaders who do not give priority to farmers have no right to stay in power,” the former Union Agriculture Minister said.
He also accused the central government of shifting projects and industries from Maharashtra to Gujarat, questioning whether the Prime Minister represented the entire country or one state. “Maharashtra, once the leading state in India, has now slipped to sixth position due to poor handling of unemployment and farmers’ issues,” he added, appealing to voters to choose wisely in the upcoming polls.
Pawar further pointed to the dismantling of Congress-initiated projects such as state-run dairy initiatives and a milk powder factory in Udgir, which had provided sources of income to rural farmers. Instead of supporting these businesses, he claimed, the current government has closed them down without considering the economic impact on local communities.