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Journalism of Courage
Over a month after their parties fought a bitter contest in the Assembly elections, NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Friday shared dias in Chakan for an event to unveil statue of social reformers Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule but refrained from making any political statement.
Their coming together held significance as Bhujbal has been upset with his party chief Ajit Pawar for not including him in the state cabinet.
Both Pawar and Bhujbal reached the event location in a battery operated vehicle sitting next to each other and were seen exchanging notes among themselves on stage.
At the event, Pawar spoke on the contribution of Phule in education for girls, progress of farmers and development works.
“Phule always believed in education for the progress of society. He worked for the progress of farmers and set examples for future generations. The Chakan area farmers cultivate onion in large quantities but now the government has put cess on the export of onions leading to loss of farmers. The government should follow the values of Phule and remove all laws and rules that take away the benefit of farmers,” he said.
Bhujbal said he has been following up with the state government on development of memorials of Phule in various parts of the state and a Defence Training Academy for girls in hometown of Phule in Satara district.
“The work done by Phule should provide inspiration to future generations. The work to uplift the poor, for girls’ education and farmers should continue for the progress of society,” he said.
In the morning Bhujbal shared dias with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Satara at a function to mark the birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was not present for either of the functions attended by Bhujbal.
