NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin, alleging that Modi is gradually eroding democracy in the country.


Speaking to reporters in Akluj, Solapur district, where he visited the residence of former deputy chief minister Vijaysinh Mohite Patil to discuss potential candidates for the Madha and Solapur Lok Sabha seats, Pawar asserted "Modi doesn’t wish for anyone from the opposition to get elected. Such a stance by the prime minister shows that there is no difference between him and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.".


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Pawar criticised the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during the enforcement of the model code of conduct (MCC), alleging that "Modi is slowly destroying parliamentary democracy and the country is heading towards autocracy". He emphasised the significance of the opposition party in a democratic nation, highlighting its equal importance alongside the ruling party.


 NCP (SP)-Congress Meeting On Madha And Solapur Lok Sabha Constituencies


When questioned about the BJP's manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Pawar said, "It is not the right time to comment on their manifesto. However, making promises is the BJP’s specialty." He disclosed that a meeting was convened to discuss the Madha and Solapur Lok Sabha constituencies, attended by Congress leader Sushilkumar Shinde, Vijaysinh Mohite Patil, and other prominent party members.


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Vijaysinh Mohite Patil’s nephew Dhairyasheel Mohite Patil who resigned from the BJP earlier this week is expected to join the NCP (SP).


“We wish for Dhairyasheel to contest from the Madha Lok Sabha seat. The decision about his induction will be taken later in the day in the presence of the party’s state president Jayant Patil. A brief meeting about Solapur and Madha seats will take place on April 16," Pawar said.