scorecardresearch
Friday, Mar 29, 2024
Advertisement

Maharashtra govt formation: Congress frosty towards having tie-up with Sena, says Sharad Pawar

Pawar also said the central leadership of the Congress has so far been inimical to the idea of having a pact with the Shiv Sena.

Sharad Pawar, NCP chief, NCP leader, Maharashtra rains, Maharashtra crop damage, Maharashtra floods, India news, Indian Express Pawar also said the possibility of the Congress supporting the Shiv Sena was bleak. (ANI)

NCP CHIEF Sharad Pawar on Friday said his party was not in talks with the Shiv Sena following reports that the latter was exploring options of staking claim to form the government in the state with the help of NCP and Congress. Pawar also said the central leadership of the Congress has so far been inimical to the idea of having a pact with the Shiv Sena.

“No one is in contact with us. No one has spoken to us. (Sena MP) Sanjay Raut sits in Parliament with me and we have meetings. We do not speak about political dealings but about what the political situation is like around us. We have been having such discussions. However, neither has anyone come to us with any proposal nor have we gone to anyone with any offer,” Pawar told mediapersons during his visit to Nashik district on Friday, following unseasonal rainfall in the area.

On Thursday, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had indicated that his party was exploring options beyond the BJP. While claiming that no party or person has a permanent claim on the CM’s chair, he had said: “I am in touch with BJP, Congress and NCP.” Raut had met Pawar at his residence on Thursday evening.

Advertisement

Pawar also said the possibility of the Congress supporting the Shiv Sena was bleak. There had been talks that the Sena could seek out both Opposition parties for external support.

“I have seen the Congress leadership from up close. The national leadership, as per my experience, is cold towards such an arrangement. They have been this way in the past but I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. However, my feeling is that the Congress leadership will not support such an arrangement,” he added.

Festive offer

While asking the BJP and Shiv Sena to expedite the process of government formation, Pawar said with the Ram temple verdict expected in a few days, it was imperative that the state had a government in place. NCP leader Nawab Malik said the party was open to the option of finding an alternative to the Sena-BJP government.

“Even after getting a majority, if the Sena and BJP fail to provide a stable government, we will definitely think of providing an alternative,” he added.

Advertisement

Earlier in the day, Pawar visited affected farmers in Igatpuri, Kalwan and other smaller hamlets in Nashik district, where nearly 50 per cent of the total 7.4 lakh hectare of land under cultivation had been damaged by unseasonal rainfall that have hit various parts of the state.

According to government estimates, crops standing on 3.23 lakh hectare of farm land in the district had been destroyed. Preliminary estimates made by the district collectorate suggest that nearly 70 per cent of grape crop and around 40 per cent of onion crop had been severely affected.

At many places where Pawar stopped, he was surrounded by farmers, who requested him to intercede with the government on their behalf for adequate compensation.

Pawar said that he would assess the damage and pressurise the government in providing adequate relief to those affected. “We hope that the government will be sensitive in addressing the farmers. It needs to support the farmers who have been affected by this disaster. If the government fails to play it’s role, we will take a strong stand against it,” he told mediapersons.

Advertisement

Criticising the state’s compensation policy for farmers, the NCP chief said: “After a detailed discussion with local officials, it has come to my notice that the state has not taken any concrete step in compensating the farmers. The criteria that is being applied now is two to three years old. The situation and need today, however, are completely different.”

From November 6, he will be visiting the districts of Parbhani, Nanded and Hingoli in Marathwada to assess the damage caused by unseasonal rainfall.

First uploaded on: 02-11-2019 at 02:59 IST
Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
close