‘PM’s UCC pitch due to restlessness over Oppn unity; there’s displeasure among citizens’: Sharad Pawar

He also urged the Union government to take into account the “900 opinions” received by the Law Commission and that of other communities before taking any decision on implementation of the UCC and instead introduce women reservation in state assemblies and Parliament.

“I have also learnt that the Sikh community has expressed its reservation over it (UCC). The stand of Sikh, Christian and Jain communities should also be considered and cannot be ignored. Any decision by the Union government should be taken after considering all opinions,” Pawar said.

“There is restlessness among the BJP leadership on the meeting of Opposition parties,” he said, informing that the next meeting of the Opposition parties is now scheduled in Bangalore on July 13 and 14 where there will be discussion on various issues, including future strategy for the forthcoming elections of state assemblies and Lok Sabha.

“The power for reservation for women lies with the Union government. The BJP government should first provide reservation for women in state assemblies and Lok Sabha before going ahead with the UCC. The NCP will stand by its move for reservation for women,” he said.

On the situation in Manipur, the NCP chief said there has been violence for the last 45 days but the Modi government has not taken much steps to resolve the situation in the state.

Pawar further took on the Prime Minister for mentioning his daughter and NCP working president Supriya Sule in a bad taste. “The Prime Minister is an institution so we do not talk objectionable about him. The same way the Lok Sabha is an institution and its members should be given due respect but the statements made by the prime minister are disrespectful,” the NCP chief said pointing that Sule has been thrice elected to Lok Sabha and has been among the top performing elected representatives of Parliament.

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while recounting corruption allegations against the Opposition parties, had said that the NCP is facing allegations of around Rs 70,000 crore while mentioning the investigations into the alleged cooperative bank and irrigation scams.

He had further stated that if the people want progress of the NCP chief’s daughter they should vote for the party and if they want progress of their own children, they should vote for the BJP in the elections.

Pawar further said that the Prime Minister is a role model for those who are raking communal issues. “The head of the country had raised Bajrangbali slogans during the Karnataka election,” he said.