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Journalism of Courage
NCP chief Sharad Pawar said on Monday that during his latest visit to Bengaluru to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of the new Karnataka government, he met with several opposition leaders and that all of them will soon sit together to decide on the future electoral strategy.
When asked about the possibility of Rahul Gandhi leading the opposition’s joint front, He said, “An example of the impact of Rahul Gandhi’s foot march was seen in Karnataka results. I am confident that people will continue to empower Rahul Gandhi and those around him.”
Speaking to reporters in Pune on the sidelines of a public event, Pawar also criticised the BJP government for allegedly using Central agencies to harass opposition leaders.
“Jayant Patil is known across Maharashtra as a leader of integrity… I am not aware of the accusation for which he has been summoned today, but it’s an example of how this government is misusing the agencies that a person of Jayant Patil’s character is also being harassed,” said Pawar.
He said the party has a list of 10 important leaders of NCP who have been summoned by Central agencies and action has been taken against some of these leaders.
He gave example of former home minister Anil Deshmukh’s case and said that charges against him were trumped up.
“They initially said that Rs 100 crore were demanded by him… Later, upon investigation, the agency said in the chargesheet that it was Rs 1.5 crore. That amount too was a donation, paid by cheque, to an educational institution and it’s still lying in its account,” said Pawar.
Commenting on the ongoing controversy involving former NCB chief Sameer Wankhede, Pawar said that CBI’s action confirms the issues that NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik was raising pertaining to the misuse of power by the officer.
“He raised all these issues about NCB and the officer and he has paid a price although his position was truthful. Now CBI was forced to take action against that officer. This proves that Malik’s allegations were true,” said Pawar.
When asked about allegations levelled by BJP leaders about opposition parties trying to stoke communal issues in the state as exemplified in clashes in Shevgaon, Akola, Sambhajinagar, and an the controversy in Trimbakeshwar, Pawar said, “There’s no bigger joke that this. In each case, if you see the powers that are at play and the ideology behind those instigating the incidents, you will see who is behind this,” said Pawar.
Pawar also criticised RBI’s decision to withdraw Rs 2,000 note from circulation.
