Sharad Pawar attacks Modi govt: Those in power don’t believe in the Constitution, judiciary and equality

"There is an attack on the Constitution. The CBI was established as an agency to look into serious matters concerning the country but its chief was removed at 2 am and another person, who was already facing many inquiries, was appointed," Pawar said.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar attacked the BJP-led government at an event in Pune on Monday. (File photo)

NCP chief Sharad Pawar attacked the BJP-led government at an event in Pune on Monday and said the ruling party “didn’t believe in the Constitution, judiciary, administration or equality, as was visible from their actions”.

Addressing the ‘Save Constitution Save Country’ rally organised by the women’s’ wing of NCP, Pawar said, “Those in power are misusing it. There is an attack on the Constitution. The CBI was established as an agency to look into serious matters concerning the country but its chief was removed at 2 am and another person, who was already facing many inquiries, was appointed.

He said the developments in the CBI were a “message” from the government to the administration, that “everything will happen only as per their wish”, and it meant that “those in power don’t have any trust in the Constitution”.

Pawar said while the Supreme Court had given its verdict on the entry of women to the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, saying men and women had an equal right to enter the temple, BJP leaders had raised objections over it. “The Kerala government said it respected the Supreme Court’s decision and would implement it to allow women to enter the temple. But BJP chief Amit Shah, during his visit to Kerala, said how come the Supreme Court took such a decision when its implementation is not possible,” Pawar said.

“The BJP chief’s comments mean that they do not accept the decision of the Supreme Court and do not believe in treating women equally. Those in power do not believe in the Constitution, judiciary, administration and equality,” said the NCP chief.

“It is the time for citizens to pull down such a government and protect the Constitution,” said the NCP chief.

As parts of Maharashtra were facing a drought-like situation, Pawar said it was very painful for farmers, but those who suffered the most were women.

Story continues below this ad

He was also critical of the steps taken by the state government to help those affected by the drought.

“The state government is not taking any steps to provide help to those suffering due to the drought. The Chief Minister has declared that the state government will grow fodder and then give it to farmers instead of the earlier practise of setting up cattle shelters,” said Pawar.

Pawar, a former Union agriculture minister, said they had “saved” the cattles by setting up sheds for farmers to keep their cattle.

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories