NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday raised concerns over developments in Gaza and questioned the Union government’s neutral stance on aggression as he said that India’s stance of neutrality was not in line with its traditional position.
Stating that Israel is doing good work in the field of agriculture, Pawar said, “But on the other hand, what is happening in Gaza, where innocent children and people have lost their lives, their homes have been destroyed, and while all this is happening, many countries in the world have remained silent.”
Speaking about India’s stance, he said, “India–be it during Indira Gandhi’s time, Nehru’s time, or later–always took a different stand on this issue, one that protected humanity. That was India’s image. But the continuous attacks and destruction of innocent lives–this picture that we see–and while this is happening, just yesterday in the United Nations a resolution related to this issue came up, and instead of taking a stand against aggression, India chose neutrality. This is not India’s policy…Unfortunately, those who have the reins of the country today do not present a clear and clean policy on such matters before the world. And because of this, a large section of the world is developing—and will develop—a misunderstanding about India. This is the situation we are seeing today,” Pawar said.
Pawar was addressing party workers during a training camp in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area and speaking on the recent Pahalgam attack in Kashmir he said that Centre should have taken a firm stand. “Government’s action should have been against those perpetrators who came with machine guns and killed innocent people, but that did not happen,” he said.
Pawar also raised concerns over the credibility of the election process, stating that people have doubts about the system and even Rahul Gandhi has written about it. “There is unrest in people’s minds regarding the electoral machinery,” he said.
In his 18-minute speech, Pawar also said that local party units must decide whether to contest the upcoming civic body polls including the BMC independently or in alliance with othersand assured that the party will fully support their decision.
In Maharashtra, NCP (SP) is part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance with Congress and Sena (UBT). “In areas going to polls, local workers and leaders should sit together and decide what’s best. If you choose to contest independently, the party is with you. If you feel there should be discussion with others, the party will support that too,” Pawar told party workers during a training camp that was held in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area.
Story continues below this ad
Referring to the upcoming BMC elections, Pawar said the party will contest under the leadership of Rakhi Jadhav, and her decisions will have full backing of the party leadership.
“Let me be clear, we have to face the elections in Mumbai. While doing so, it is for you all to decide whether we should form an alliance or contest independently. If you feel that, in the context of the elections, we want to give our workers recognition among the public and create new leadership, and if your collective opinion is to fight independently, then the party will take that into serious consideration. If you believe we should sit with like-minded parties and arrive at a seat-sharing arrangement, we will be open to that too. Therefore, you all must sit together and decide soon—what should our strategy be moving forward? Give us your suggestions, and based on that, the party leadership will ensure that you all get an opportunity to participate meaningfully in this election. I assure you of that,” Pawar said.