Communal rift just days after Modi government took charge: Sharad Pawar

NCP chief Sharad Pawar has attacked the new BJP government at the Centre stating that a communal rift is forming in Maharashtra and across the nation within just few days of the new government taking charge. “A communal rift has stretched out across the state and nation as well within a few days since the new government took over. Some inactive right wing outfits seems to have got encouraged, which can be seen from the murder of a techie in Pune and today’s incident of a defaming post (on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar) on social media,” remarked Pawar. He was speaking at an event on the occasion of 15th anniversary of the party in Sion on Sunday afternoon. “But we are with minorities who are being targeted and will always guard every section of the society. Some people are using modern technology to create communal divisions in society, which is very serious,” Pawar added. Talking on the alleged biased approach of police machinery against the minority, he said, “Every section of society is equal for government and nobody should be singled out on the basis of religion or caste.” He also criticized former bureaucrats for joining political parties and questioned the credibility of their decisions taken during their tenure. “The officers like former Mumbai CP Satyapal Singh have joined the saffron party and have got elected to the Lok Sabha. They will sit with us in Parliament. I doubt whether they have given equal justice to all sections of society during their tenures. I admit that it was our mistake in appointing them to important positions. Henceforth, we should be very careful about appointing officers to important posts,” said Pawar. [caption id=“attachment_1536319” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  PTI[/caption] He also dismissed party activists’ demand that his name be announced as chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Maharashtra elections. “Our party believes in collective leadership and there is no question of announcing the CM candidate before the elections. The decision will be taken by the elected members unanimously after the assembly elections, " Pawar said. Talking on the issue issues of reservation to Maratha and minority community, he said, “The Maratha and minority hailing from poor families should get reservation in education and job as well.” He added that the Dhangar and Lingayat communities should also get reservation in ST category without affecting the reservation for tribals. “Electricity should be supplied to every nook and corner of the state and farmers should not suffer. Also, there should be no compromise on LBT. The state government must resolve both the issues immediately,” he said adding that the disconnect with the people led to the UPA’s defeat in the Lok Sabha.