Modi, Pawar reiterate commitment to development at Baramati meet
PUNE: The bonhomie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar was visible on Saturday when the two shared the stage at a function in Pawar clan bastion Baramati.
The two leaders insisted there was no political motive behind their coming together, but Modi’s visit to Pawar’s turf is significant in the wake of relations souring between BJP and its ally Shiv Sena.
Referring to the two parties cosying up to each other despite Modi targeting him during the assembly polls, the PM said, “This is the beauty of democracy. It works on two tracks—vivad (debate) and samvad (dialogue). We have different political agendas but our aim is the same: India’s progress.”
Modi’s praise for Pawar came at a farmers’ rally, after the inauguration of the Centre for Excellence for Vegetables in Baramati. Modi said, “As Gujarat CM, I used to face problems and I would call Sharadrao. He was the only person in UPA who helped me by keeping political differences aside”. “We may fight in politics for two days. But for the other 363, we should be devoted to development. We’re ready to support you in all your development initiatives,” Pawar said. The NCP chief asked Modi to help remove barriers on the export of sugar and to improve the condition of dairy farmers. Modi said the Centre would announce an extensive sugar policy to benefit both farmers and manufacturers. Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh, who accompanied Modi, said a relief package for farmers in Vidarbha and Marathwada will be worked out on Monday.
Modi visited Vidya Pratishthan, a Pawar-run education institution and inaugurated the Appasaheb Pawar auditorium. He also had lunch with Pawar’s family at their residence.