Day after Yogi’s barbs, Ajit Pawar says communal harmony strong in state

Pune: The NCP on Thursday distanced itself from Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath's slogan 'Batenge to Katenge' when party chief deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said that people from 'outside' make such statements, but Maharashtra has always maintained communal harmony. BJP leader Yogi Adityanath was campaigning in Maharashtra for a Mahayuti candidate on Wednesday. "Nobody should compare Maharashtra with the other states. People here have always ensured communal harmony. Some from outside come here and make statements, but Maharashtra has never accepted any communal division. The state follows the secular ideology of Shahu (Maharaj), (Jyotiba) Phule, and (Babasaheb) Ambedkar," he said. He did not name the UP CM.Pawar said he will campaign for his party candidate Nawab Malik. Malik was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. He is currently out on bail and is contesting from Mankhurd-Shivajinagar seat where CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena also nominated its candidate. Both are Mahayuti candidates, but BJP will support Shinde's candidate and has ruled out campaigning for Malik."None of the allegations made against Malik has been proven. He cannot be held guilty on the basis of allegations. I will campaign for him," Ajit Pawar said on Thursday.On Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding multiple rallies for Mahayuti candidates in the state, Ajit Pawar said, "I do not need anyone's rally in Baramati. More of his (PM's) rallies are needed in other constituencies."Ajit Pawar, who is also the finance minister, criticised MVA's promise of Rs 3,000 to women to counter Mahayuti's Mukhyamantri Mazhi Ladki Bahin scheme. He said MVA leaders objected to the scheme questioning its feasibility, and now they are promising a higher amount. "The Rs 3,000 per month amount they are offering will require a provision of Rs 90,000 crore. They have also promised Rs 4,000 per month to unemployed youths which will need Rs 40,000 crore. The state will spend Rs 1.5 lakh crore for two schemes out of the its Rs 7 lakh crore budget. How will they manage salaries, pensions, interest on loans, and other expenditures?" he added.On RBI's concern about states making such promises, he said, "It is the RBI governor's view as they have a different perspective about the finances. When it comes to running the state, we have to support the marginalised sections."
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