The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): NCP leader Sharad Pawar, on Saturday, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being intolerant towards criticism while freely criticizing others. This statement came a day after Modi suggested the “nakli NCP” should ally with Ajit Pawar post-Lok Sabha elections.
Addressing a rally in Beed for Nationalist Congress Party candidate Bajrang Sonawane, Pawar accused Modi of targeting Muslims openly. He emphasized that as Prime Minister, Modi should represent citizens of all faiths and castes. “Modi can’t tolerate criticism but speaks anything against others. He is targeting Muslims openly, whereas a prime minister should stand for all citizens. The visible hatred towards Muslims is concerning,” Pawar stated, urging people not to support actions that would benefit Modi in the elections.
Pawar also labeled Modi as “anti-women and anti-farmer,” criticizing the government’s lack of initiatives for farmers over the past decade and ignoring atrocities against women. The former Union Agriculture Minister highlighted the arrests of Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren as examples of power misuse and arrogance.
Modi has intensified his criticism of Pawar, a prominent leader of the INDIA bloc in Maharashtra, during his campaign. At a rally in Pune, Modi referred to Pawar as a “bhatakti aatma” (wandering soul) who disrupts others’ good work without directly naming him.
On Friday, Modi suggested that Pawar’s faction of the NCP and Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray should join forces with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde after the election results, rather than “dying by merging” with the Congress. Shinde and Ajit Pawar had split their respective parties in 2022 and 2023.
Sharad Pawar quickly responded, stating he would not ally with those who do not believe in parliamentary democracy, which he believes is under threat due to Modi’s governance.
Maharashtra, which sends 48 members to the Lok Sabha—the second-largest contingent after Uttar Pradesh—is voting in five phases. While polling for three phases is complete, the remaining two rounds are scheduled for May 13 and 20.