Modi can’t address rally without my name: Sharad Pawar

SANGLI: Former Union agriculture minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar said the prime minister has no issues to speak of, and cannot address a rally in Maharashtra without mentioning his name.


Addressing a rally in Tasgaon in support of Vishal Patil, grandson of former chief minister

Vasantdada Patil

, contesting on a Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna ticket, Pawar said, “Modi cannot finish his rallies in Maharashtra without taking my name. He need not worry about our family and we are united in the fight against BJP. One who is not able to take care of his home cannot attack another’s home.”

Pawar said the Modi-led government at the Centre had worsened the condition of farmers across the country. “The Modi government has failed to provide relief to farmers. Farmer suicides continue.”

Pawar said BJP leaders do not respect farmers or understand their distress. “They only abuse them, using insensitive words.”

“Modi boasts of a 56-inch chest. Why has his government failed to secure the release of Kulbhushan Jadhav from Pakistan? Modi should not forget that Air Force officer Abhinandan Vardhaman was released by Pakistan as per Geneva Convention, which was signed by India while Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was prime minister,” he said.

Vishal Patil, addressing the gathering, said, “When we woke up today morning, my elder brother Pratik fought with me. He said that three times he contested

Lok Sabha

elections but not a single time had Sharad Pawar campaigned for him. What is your secret? Why is Pawar campaigning for you when you are contesting on a Swabhimani ticket, he asked.”