Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar on Monday released the manifesto of his party for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, promising to support a caste-based census, classical language status to Marathi, Bharat Ratna to Yashwantrao Chavan and MSP for farmers among other issues. The manifesto, based on the theme of 'Nationalist for the Nation', explains the party's role and its resolve towards economic progress through public service and infrastructural development. "In the manifesto, the party has emphasised on all crucial issues from local to global level like support to a caste-based census, granting classical language status to Marathi, Bharat Ratna to Yashwantrao Chavan, MSP for farmers, promotion of non-conventional sources of power generation to maintain environmental balance and curb global warming, increase in the scope of Agricultural Crop Insurance Scheme, increase in Shetkari Samman funds, increase in Mudra loan scheme, water reservoirs in forest areas and demand for India's permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council," said Ajit Pawar, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He also emphasised on rural development through health, education, sanitation, environment and employment. “Our party believes in the right to live as a human irrespective of caste, creed and religion. It believes in equality and unity. The NCP has faith in social reformer Sane Guruji's quote, 'The true religion is to offer love to the world.' We must bring the deprived and backward sections of society into the mainstream. We will demand for a caste-based census," the manifesto stated. It also demanded Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award, for the late chief minister of Maharashtra and defence minister Yashwantrao Chavan. The manifesto has been prepared under the chairmanship of senior NCP leader Dilip Walse-Patil. Ajit Pawar congratulated and thanked him for preparing a forward-looking manifesto for the party. "We are contesting the Lok Sabha elections as part of Mahayuti under PM Modi's leadership and we are certain of a huge victory. Our appeal to people is that Modi ji should become the PM for the third time. Many people look up to him as he is the strongest face of NDA," Pawar said. He also attacked the Opposition saying, "There is no competent face in the Opposition who can hold his ground against Modi." Citing the low turnout in the Phase 1 elections, Pawar appealed to people to exercise their right to vote, rightly given to them in the Constitution by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. “In Vidarbha, the voting percentage has decreased due to extreme heat conditions. We should try to prevent this in the coming phases," he said. Pawar insisted that the party has not given up on its ideology despite joining the Mahayuti. He said, "This is very important. If you look at the shift of political roles in recent times from leaders such as Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee, Jayalalithaa, Farooq Abdullah etc. you will realise it.” “NCP believes in 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas'. On these lines, we stand by the triad of Nation's Progress, Nation's Support, and Nation's Trust,” he said.
