ajit-pawar-dodges-bjp-criticism-focuses-on-development

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Saturday that women's welfare, development, and poverty alleviation are central to his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) agenda, and he is receiving positive feedback from the public.

 

Speaking to reporters after visiting the Sai Baba temple on the third day of his party's 'Jan Sanman Yatra', Pawar avoided commenting on BJP leaders' criticisms of opposition stalwart Sharad Pawar. He emphasised that his focus was on promoting welfare schemes outlined in his recent budget presentation.

 

"Women's welfare, development, and poverty alleviation are the major planks of the NCP. I am getting good response from people," Pawar said.

 

Asked about BJP attacks on NCP founder Sharad Pawar, including comments by Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling him a 'bhatakti aatma' and Union Minister Amit Shah labelling him the 'ringleader of corruption', Pawar chose not to delve into past controversies. "There is no need to rake up the past," he said. "We will discuss when we sit and talk internally. These need not be spoken in public. As far as I am concerned, I am moving ahead with the agenda of development."

 

Pawar also dismissed claims that he secretly met with BJP leaders in Delhi before deciding to split from the Sharad Pawar-founded party and join the ruling alliance with Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and the BJP. "I am a public figure for 35 years and people recognise me. I cannot do such things," he asserted.

 

Addressing a large crowd of MIDC workers in Sinnar, Pawar reiterated his commitment to addressing their concerns and highlighted the government's efforts to advance the state's industrial sector through employment-generating schemes. He noted various programmes, such as the PM Shramyogi Mandhan Yojana, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, available for MIDC workers.

 

Pawar expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from women, sharing that he has been deeply moved by numerous rakhi gifts. He praised the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana, which will see its first financial aid instalment distributed on August 17 ahead of Rakshabandhan.

 

 He criticised opposition parties for disparaging the scheme, suggesting that women in the state would respond by supporting his party in the upcoming assembly elections. He also criticised some women politicians who have opposed the scheme, labelling them as 'privileged'.

 

Earlier in the day, Pawar was seen participating in the rally on a bike.