Sharad Pawar admits Mahayuti schemes ‘may have some effect’, but says people want change

Excerpts of the interview.

How do you see this Assembly election in the backdrop of the last Lok Sabha elections?

In the Lok Sabha, Narendra Modi was aiming at an absolute majority. The issue of changing the Constitution harmed him. Especially the weaker section rejected the idea in totality. Second, Mr Modi’s approach towards minorities (was a factor). After polls, Mr Modi had to depend on Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu as he failed to win a majority. That was an indication that people were unhappy with Mr Modi and his policies. Maharashtra, too, saw the Opposition winning a higher number of seats. This is the backdrop for the current Assembly election.

Do you see the Lok Sabha trend (where MVA made gains) continuing?

I can’t say now. Because, after that election, the government has used all its machinery extensively and it has taken a number of populist decisions like Ladki Bahin by giving money and trying to change the atmosphere. It may have some effect as per our colleagues.

But I must tell you about one incident. While travelling, I stopped to talk to 15-20 women working in a field and asked them whether they have received the money and are happy about it? The women said they did get the money, but this government is giving money from one hand and taking it out from our pockets with the other as prices of everything have increased so much. That’s the general sentiment. In addition, farmers and unemployed youth are being given the money. So the government is targeting different sections differently.

So how is the Opposition placed?

My observation is, the public wants a change. And if that feeling continues then we will get a clear-cut majority. Secondly, our MVA alliance of Congress, Uddhav Thackeray and us, is working well everywhere except in a few constituencies. Except for 10-11 seats out of 288, our workers are working together in coordination.

Who is the CM face for the MVA?

We have decided not to finalise a single name. After elections, if we get a majority, the party among our partners, which gets higher seats, will decide at that time.

How do you see Manoj Jarange-Patil’s decision to not contest?

Mr Jarange-Patil has taken a sensible decision of not contesting the election and that will definitely benefit the Opposition. Also, along with his demand for reservation, he has also issued a statement in support of Muslim and Dhangar reservation. That means he has expanded his horizon and spread his base. It has also created a feeling that he is not against OBCs.

Does this mean there are challenges to non-Maratha consolidation on the ground?

Yes. It looks like this.

In Haryana, talk of Jat and non-Jat consolidation was discussed extensively. You are suggesting something similar isn’t happening here.

I have seen Haryana and have been there. There were too many candidates from Congress, a lot of Independent candidates and there were rebellions. Initially, we expected this here as well. But most of them have withdrawn.

Do you think smaller parties like MNS, Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi, will dent MVA?

The situation of vanchit (today as compared to) five years ago is not the same – they are not likely to have that much of an impact.

Why has the MVA alleged misuse of ED, CBI during this poll?

The statement from Chhagan Bhujbal has proven it. We all saw it yesterday. Money and agencies are being used against us. I can give you an example. My daughter is a Member of Parliament for the fourth term. Whenever she attacks the government, her husband gets a notice from Income Tax. In fact, my brother’s daughters (Ajit Pawar’s sisters) have faced raids. The Central government has misused the agencies even against my family. This is the election where we are seeing the absolute misuse of power and government agencies which we have not seen ever in the past elections.

What’s your view on Central policies when it comes to cotton and soyabean farmers?

Practically speaking, cotton and soybean farmers are facing serious issues. Prices have dropped, the cost of cultivation cannot be recovered. That’s why these farmers are extremely unhappy. It is not correct when the government says that the distribution of money has satisfied the farmers. In fact, even in the case of sugarcane, there is a demand from the national federation regarding the minimum support price and also about Ethanol which are not being fulfilled. This means even this assure- income crop is facing a problem. By and large, be it cotton or soyabean or sugarcane, the farmers are in trouble.

Some senior BJP leaders alleged that Muslim consolidation in some seats hurt them in Lok Sabha elections. They call it ‘Vote Jihad.’ What’s your response?

It shows the communal approach of the ruling party. In the last election, there were four-five BJP leaders who talked about changing the Constitution. Now with this, it exposes the real approach of the government.