Mumbai: Former chief minister of Maharashtra and Nationalist Congress Party founder Sharad Pawar accused the BJP of pushing a five-point agenda promoting “Hindutva fascism” in India, expressing that the political situation does not favor the saffron party ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, as reported by PTI.
Speaking in Shirdi, he dismissed the notion that there is no alternative to Narendra Modi as deceptive. Pawar cited historical instances, like the post-Emergency Lok Sabha polls in 1977, to emphasise the effectiveness of opposition unity without presenting a specific PM candidate.
Pawar revealed discussions with Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) and plans to engage with ‘INDIA’ partners to include the Maharashtra-based outfit in the opposition grouping against the BJP. He criticized the BJP’s focus on cow, ‘gaumutra,’ and the ideology of RSS leader M.S. Golwalkar, linking it to what he termed as “Hindutva fascism.”
Pawar alleged a five-point program, including privatization, increased animosity towards Muslims, religious polarization, control of independent bodies, and emphasis on “manuwad” and ultra-nationalism.
He accused the Modi government of insulting women and highlighted incidents like the disrobing and parading of women in Manipur. Pawar criticized the Centre for not inviting President Droupadi Murmu to the new Parliament building inauguration.
He dismissed the propaganda demanding an immediate announcement of the opposition’s prime ministerial candidate and asserted that the belief in no alternative to Modi is deceptive.
Pawar suggested that the BJP’s unfulfilled promises and the situation in states where the party is not in power indicate an unfavorable condition for the BJP.
He also addressed issues such as unemployment, the December 13 Parliament security breach, inflation, and the Maratha reservation matter in Maharashtra.
