Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Sharad Pawar takes on Modi at Muktainagar

Sharad Pawar with Shriram Patil, Rohini Khadse, and Jayant Patil at Raver Lok Sabha constituency. Pics/Ashish Raje

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not keep his word of bringing down the prices of essential commodities in seven days, and so, making the first promise that he made in 2014 turned out to be false," NCP leader Sharad Pawar said at a huge rally organised for NCP (SP) candidate Shriram Patil at Muktainagar, the stronghold of the Khadse family.

He visited Muktainagar after gap of four-and-a-half-years. "It was promised that the prices of gas cylinders would be reduced by 50 per cent (cylinders costed Rs 400 per cylinder). Today, however, the price is Rs 1,160. There has been only a rise in prices. I appeal you to support our candidate Shriram Patil, who is willing and ready to strive for the common man," Pawar said.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi's party workers rejoice a rally at in Muktainagar

Pawar said the government was never serious about the issue of farmers and have always ignored them. "It is because of farmers that we get food and satiate our hunger but the government does not think about them," Pawar said. "When farmers turned up in thousands of numbers at the border of Delhi with their issues, the government ignored them. It was only after the opposition intervened and created a circumstance where they had to meet them, the government agreed. This government has been anti-farmers and anti-poor. It thinks its duty is only to look after a handful of rich people," Pawar said.

"I welcome Pawarji to Muktainagar after four and a half years. Last time, he came, I was the opponent. I want to tell you that after my father decided to join BJP, I approached Pawarji seeking his permission if I should continue and assured him that I will always remain loyal to Pawarji and NCP as it was the NCP that backed us in times of difficulty. Like he guides his daughter Supriya Sule, he should guide me also. I assure you that we will get a lead from this constituency," said advocate Rohini Khadse, daughter of leader Eknath Khadse, who has now switched over to the BJP from NCP.

"This is the battle to save the pride of Maharashtra. This is the battle to save Constitution. The Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders are those who are fighting for the pride of Maharashtra. This government changes policies during the election code of conduct. The government opened up exports for Gujarat state and when we made noise, it was opened up for Maharashtra. How can the government change policies during the code of conduct. The BJP has done nothing to eradicate corruption, instead it has collected and gathered all the corrupt leaders nationally in the party. We have brought a simple leader Sriram Patil so I appeal to vote for this Sriram," said NCP leader Jayant Patil.

Applauding Eknath Khadse's daughter Rohini Khadse, Jayant Patil said that when her father decided to switch parties, "Rohini was firm to stay back with Pawar saheb. It is a very difficult decision to go against a father's decision," he said. He added that the NCP will win in all the ten seats it has fielded as candidates.

"This is not a farmers' government. This is the government of Mallyas and Nirav Modi. I am happy to see such a huge crowd at Muktainagar. We do not have to wait till May 13. Look at the crowd at this rally. We have already won this seat," former chairman of legislative assembly NCP leader Arun Gujarathi said.

"I have been termed as dummy candidate. But in the past eight days, I visited 300 villages. I walk 35 km every day. Do I look like a dummy candidate? Ask the sitting MP, how many villages she has visited," NCP (SP) candidate Sriram Patil said.

Pawar convoy meets with accident

The convoy of vehicles of NCP chief Sharad Pawar met with a minor collision in Jalgaon on Friday. After a vehicle braked hard due to a speedbreaker, a following vehicle crashed into the one ahead. There were no injuries except minor dents in the vehicles. The accident occurred on Bhusawal-Yawal road in Yawal tehsil.