New Delhi: NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday took a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying it has become a washing machine, which the people facing corruption charges can join to get clean. Pawar accused the Centre for targeting chief ministers of non-BJP-ruled states, citing examples such as former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
Furthermore, he lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on various fronts, including PM Modi's criticism of India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Addressing a convention of his Nationalist Congress Party NCP(SP) workers in Lonavala, Pune district, Sharad Pawar criticised Prime Minister for his stance on corruption, particularly targeting the undivided NCP.
He highlighted the BJP's approach, noting how they distributed booklets in Parliament detailing irregularities such as the Adarsh scam and implicating Ashok Chavan, only for Chavan to later join the BJP and become its Rajya Sabha member. "So on the one hand, you (BJP) make allegations, while on the other, you induct that person into your party", PTI quoted Pawar as saying.
Sharad Pawar, while addressing his NCP workers, mentioned about the PM Modi's accusations regarding corruption within the NCP, particularly highlighting the alleged Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam in Maharashtra and irregularities in the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSC Bank). Pawar reiterated his stance that no NCP member was involved in any irregularities at MSC Bank and challenged the BJP to appoint a Supreme Court judge for an inquiry.
"Now see where that person is today against whom the allegations were made in this scam", he said without mentioning Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's name. "All this shows that the BJP has become a washing machine, which those who are facing allegations of corruption can join and get clean", the former Union minister alleged.
Ajit Pawar's rebellion against Sharad Pawar and an alliance with the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government last July resulted in a fracture within the NCP, a party founded by the senior Pawar in 1999. This move led to a split in the party, with the Election Commission allocating the party name NCP and its symbol 'clock' to the faction led by Ajit Pawar, as per PTI.
Those In Power Speak Highly Of Mahatma Gandhi But Denigrate Nehru: Sharad Pawar
Pawar further said, "We formed the NCP and remained steadfast to the ideologies of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Today, those in power speak highly of Mahatma Gandhi but denigrate Nehru."
"Just as those who fought for the country's freedom and made sacrifices accepted Mahatma Gandhi and Subhash Chandra Bose's leadership, they also accepted Nehru's leadership and his contributions", he added.
"During his speech in West Bengal, PM Modi criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was an MP for 25 years and a Union minister for 5 years, and has been the CM of the state for the last 10 years", Pawar said.
"Today, people repeatedly vote for her and give the reins of the state to her. The PM should be proud of her, but he criticises her instead. This does not fit within the framework of parliamentary democracy", he added.
Allegations have surfaced against NCP MLA Sunil Shelke from Pune's Maval assembly constituency, accusing him of threatening leaders associated with the Sharad Pawar-led faction and discouraging their attendance at the party's convention in Lonavala. Shelke, affiliated with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction, faced criticism from Sharad Pawar himself during his response to the allegations.
He questioned Shelke's loyalty, reminding him of the support he received during his electoral campaign and warning of consequences if the threats against party workers persist. In response, Shelke denied the allegations, expressing confidence in his innocence and vowing to address the matter directly with Pawar.
Amidst the controversy, over 100 office-bearers and workers, reportedly aligned with Shelke, defected to the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) at the Lonavala convention.