Efforts to unite non-BJP parties are underway, says Sharad Pawar

Mumbai: NCP chief Sharad Pawar said efforts to unite non-BJP parties at the national level and create a public opinion are underway. He pointed out that the Modi government is failing to fulfil promises made since 2014.

The veteran politician added that he is not keen on taking up any responsibility due to his age. "I will only help bring together non-BJP parties to generate a public opinion against the BJP," said the 81-year-old.

He was speaking to reporters in Thane.

He further said that promises made by Narendra Modi about bringing "acche din, connecting villages through the internet, and providing toilets, water, and power to every household" have not been fulfilled. He claimed the BJP's agenda is to keep smaller parties away from power.

Pawar added that the prime minister had promised a house to every person in the country but failed. "Now the new promise is to create a USD 5 trillion economy by 2024."

He also criticised the BJP for allegedly using Central agencies to attack opponents and achieve power. "What BJP is doing against its opponents is nothing but an attack on parliamentary democracy which is a matter of serious concern. In all the non-BJP-ruled states, the saffron party is trying to split legislators and capture power. Maharashtra is the latest example," said the NCP President.

Speaking about two NCP leaders - Anil Deshmukh and Nawab Malik - being in jail, Pawar asked: "Can you imagine a record 110 raids by the CBI, ED, and IT on Anil Deshmukh and his kin"?

He added that the investigative agencies initially claimed the misappropriation of funds was to the tune of Rs 100 crore. Later they modified it to Rs 4.07 crore and now they are saying it is just Rs 1.71 crore. "All this will be exposed in court." Pawar claimed that NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut are in jail because they spoke for their respective parties.

The former union minister also criticised the release of rape convicts in the Bilkis Bano case. He said it is shameful. "This decision was contradictory to what Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said about respecting women on August 15. On the contrary, crime against women is on the rise."