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Tag: NCP

  • ‘Hamara Bajaj’! Rahul Bajaj a lighthouse for young entrepreneurs: NCP chief Sharad Pawar

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday remembered former chairman of the Bajaj Group, Rahul Bajaj, as a philanthropist who was like a “lighthouse” for young entrepreneurs.

    “I am deeply shocked to learn about the sad demise of Padma Bhushan Shri Rahul Bajaj! The grandson of eminent freedom fighter Jamnalal Bajaj brought transformation in society especially in poor and middle-class people with his two-wheel technology – a Bajaj Bike!,” Pawar tweeted.

    Pawar said he was grieved with the passing of his very close friend.

    “India has lost an industrialist, a philanthropist and a lighthouse for young entrepreneurs! Hamara Bajaj,” Pawar said.

    The affordable vehicle increased mobility, eased the struggle for getting means of livelihood and became the tool of socio-economic change, he added.

    “We Indians are deeply indebted for his immense contribution to the industry,” he said.

    Rahul Bajaj died at a hospital in Pune on Saturday afternoon.

    He was 83.

    Pawar also said Bajaj Group came to Wardha where the (Mahatma) Gandhi’s family lived with the Bajajs.

    They had business in that area where the big business was buying and selling cotton.

    “But the later generations decided to go a different way. In a real sense, Rahul Bajaj has done a great job in the industrial sector, especially in the automobile sector,” he said in a statement.

    “Rahul Bajaj’s business started from Pune. Some members of his previous generation were leading the industry in Mumbai. When Rahul Bajaj took over the responsibility after completing his higher education, he made the first decision not to run a factory from Mumbai,” Pawar recalled.

    The NCP chief said Rahul Bajaj was the only personality who spent his entire life and had a residence in Akurdi (in Pune) on the premises where his workers work.

    He spent his life standing with the factory and its workers, the former Maharashtra chief minister said.

    He stated that the role of the state government was to step up industrialisation in the Aurangabad district.

    “Bajaj gave a big response to the state government in future without limiting the expansion of the factory to Akurdi,” Pawar added.

    The NCP chief further said that in the best interest of the country and society, Bajaj used to express his views clearly, even if the government disagreed with them.

    “Bajaj also showed his mettle by taking the responsibility given to him in some institutions of the Maharashtra government. He was outspoken. We decided at that time to use his views more at the national level and unanimously decided to appoint him in the Rajya Sabha. Though his term was limited, his work in the Rajya Sabha would be remembered,” Pawar recalled.

    He said Bajaj’s contribution to the Upper House on the economic and national issues was excellent and that his speech never had political connotations.

    “As a friend in the industrial sector in Pune, my friendship with Bajaj remained intact. He supported me in many things. He never failed to express his opposition to the dissenting opinion. Many, including me, gladly accepted his criticism,” Pawar added.

  • I believe in Gandhian thoughts, played Nathuram Godse’s role to challenge myself as an actor: NCP MP Amol Kolhe

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Actor and NCP MP Amol Kolhe, facing flak in certain quarters for portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse in an upcoming Hindi film, has asserted he is a “firm believer” in Gandhian thoughts and maintained he took up the controversial role only to challenge himself as an artiste.

    Kolhe, facing criticism from a senior party colleague and also political opponents over the role, clarified that he does not support the ideology of Godse.

    However, NCP president Sharad Pawar has come out in support of the actor.

    In the film, “Why I Killed Gandhi”, directed by Ashok Tyagi and produced by Kalyani Singh, the 41-year-old actor-politician will be seen as Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin.

    The movie was shot in 2017, but is slated to release on January 30 – the day Gandhi was assassinated on the same date in 1948 – on an OTT platform.

    Controversy over the actor’s role has kicked off a month after the trailer of the movie was dropped online.

    In the trailer lasting 2 minutes and 20 seconds, Kolhe, known for playing the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in two separate Marathi TV serials, is seen expressing his angst against Gandhi, whom he holds responsible for the atrocities on Hindus in Pakistan.

    In an interview to PTI, Kolhe spoke at length about how he was initially hesitant to play the role of Godse, the key reason to pick up this part, and how he feels fortunate to have a considerate party leader like Sharad Pawar.

    “I had done roles in Marathi movie and television, when the offer (for ‘Why I Killed Gandhi’) came, I was initially excited that I am playing a role in a Hindi film. But when I came to know about the role (of Godse), I told them (makers) it is against my personal ideology,” Kolhe said.

    “But as an actor, many times you play roles which are not congruent with your ideology and still you play that role. I was told that this role is all about the confession that Nathuram Godse gave in the inquiry commission held by Justice J L Kapur. I said I will be doing this role as an actor,” he added.

    Citing an example of Russian theatre legend Konstantin Stanislavski, the actor-politician said, this method of acting is difficult, especially when you don’t believe in the ideology of the character and yet you portray it with conviction.

    This is a “difficult task” to do as an actor, Kolhe said, adding, “It becomes a different kind of a challenge. It is a challenging task as I don’t believe in the ideology and yet I had to portray the role. As a challenge to an actor, I picked up the role. Once the camera starts rolling, you have to put it aside.”

    However, Kolhe insists that as a person, he is a “firm believer in Gandhian thoughts”.

    “I follow the ideology that none of the killing can be justified, you cannot justify a murder and my ideology remains the same. I personally feel it (assassination of Gandhi) is one of the most unfortunate incidents in Indian history and a murder can never be justified,” he said.

    Speaking of his process of getting into the skin of a character, Kolhe said that as a performer, it is essential to understand the psychological graph of the role.

    “When you play characters like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the process is very simple. I go by the psychological graph of the character.

    “Once you get hold of the psychological graph, the body language, speech, diction and other things automatically follow. And in the same fashion, I went ahead with the role (of Godse),” he explained.

    The MP from the Shirur Lok Sabha constituency in Pune district said that when he acted in the film way back in 2017, in his wildest dream, he had not thought of joining the NCP and contesting the parliamentary elections (in 2019).

    However, Kolhe does admit that the thought of inviting “conflict and criticism” did come to his mind and that there can be some controversy over his role as Godse.

    But he thinks, “Personal ideology and professional commitment are two different things and one needs to differentiate between the two.”

    “One thing is very clear: the party has nothing to do with this film simply because I did the film in 2017 when I was not associated with it,” Kolhe asserted.

    “The party should not be dragged into this controversy, is my earnest request,” he said.

    The actor-MP said he has huge respect for his party leader Sharad Pawar and feels fortunate that he has stood by him.

    “The freedom for artistes and personal ideology are two separate things and this has been shown by Pawar sahab for a long time. And the same stand he took that whatever Amol Kolhe has done is in the capacity of an artiste.

    “He has shown trust in my ideology. And I am very thankful. After hearing his reaction, I feel fortunate to work under his leadership, that is so considerate,” Kolhe added.

    On a concluding note, Kolhe said, now that he shoulders a responsibility of a Lok Sabha constituency and his party’s ideology too, as an actor he will consider the ideology of the party and choose roles more wisely.

    Kolhe’s portrayal of Godse on the silver screen has not gone down well with some in the NCP.

    While NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Jitendra Awhad has targeted Kolhe over the issue, the opposition BJP sought to know the actor-turned-MP’s “exact stand on Godse”.

    Awhad has said that even if Kolhe had played Godse in his capacity as an actor, “It is indeed an endorsement of Godse’s views”.

    Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil said Kolhe should clarify his “exact stand on Godse and his views”.

    However, Pawar has backed the actor-politician.

    “Dr Amol Kolhe’s decision to act in that movie should be seen as an artiste’s choice.

    If he played that role, it does not mean he subscribes to Godse’s ideology or views,” Pawar said.

    “If someone plays the role of Aurangzeb in a film, it should not be seen as the actor becoming a supporter of the Mughals…Ravan abducted Sita (in the Ramayana), does it imply that the actor playing Ravan actually kidnapped her?” the NCP president added.

  • UP polls: NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, Amit Shah to campaign in state

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: NCP supremo Sharad Pawar will lead the party’s campaign in Uttar Pradesh where the party is contesting the assembly elections in alliance with the Samajwadi Party.

    Besides Pawar, senior leaders and parliament members Praful Patel, Supriya Sule, Sunil Tatkare and Fauzia Khan have been named as star campaigners for the assembly elections.

    NCP has fielded party general secretary K K Sharma from Anupshahr assembly constituency in Bulandshahr district of western Uttar Pradesh.

    Maharashtra minister and NCP national spokesperson Nawab Malik, former Rajya Sabha member Abdul Majeed Memon, Delhi NCP chief Yoganand Shastri are among others who have been named as star campaigners for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

    Elections for the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly will be held in seven phases from February 10 to March 7.

    The results will be announced on March 10.

    SP is expected to field candidates on about 350 of the 403 seats, while the rest would be split among alliance partners.

    Jayant Singh Chaudhary-led Rashtriya Lok Dal, Om Prakash Rajbhar-led Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party are other alliance partners of the Samajwadi Party.

    Opposition leaders are expected to hit the campaign trail in Lucknow in support of Samajwadi Party next month.

    Pawar had said that the BJP had not fulfilled the promises it had made to the people and that Uttar Pradesh will witness a change in government after elections.

    In his first political programme in Uttar Pradesh after the assembly poll dates were announced, Home Minister Amit Shah will be on a door-to-door campaign in support of the BJP candidate in the western UP constituency of Kairana on Saturday.

    The senior BJP leader, who is playing a key role in the party’s campaign in the politically crucial state, will also hold a meeting with party workers in Shamli and Baghpat, sources said, adding that he will later have an interaction with eminent citizens in Meerut.

    Shah’s choice of Kairana is significant as BJP leaders had alleged in the run-up to the 2017 assembly polls that a large number of Hindus were forced to migrate from the area due to threats.

    Uttar Pradesh will have seven-phase polls starting from February 10.

    Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday released the BJP’s song for the assembly polls and said rioters, who once enjoyed the patronage of previous governments and were a threat to the state’s peace, now have their posters pasted in public places.

    Adityanath released the song titled ‘UP Phir Mangein BJP Sarkar’ at the party’s state headquarters here in the presence of its Uttar Pradesh chief Swatantra Dev Singh, Deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma, and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur.

    Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said, “The rioters who were once a threat to the peace and harmony of the state and enjoyed patronage of previous governments, today have their posters pasted on roads and crossings.”

    “Taking the basic mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the aim of our government, we have worked for the development of all but appeasement of none,” Adityanath said and referred to the achievements of his government.

    Under the SP and the BSP governments sugar mills used to remain closed and arrears of sugarcane farmers were pending for years, Adityanath said, adding that his government made record payments to sugarcane farmers.

    “Our government also paid cane dues pending from the SP and BSP governments’ time,” he said.

    Adityanath said that his government has fulfilled the promises made by the BJP in its 2017 election manifesto.

  • AAP, Trinamool, Shiv Sena fared poorly in previous Goa polls: Election data 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Goa appears set for a multi-cornered contest where a fractured opposition is attempting to overthrow the BJP, which has been in power in the coastal state for the past 10 years.

    Congress has been insisting that it is the key challenger to the BJP and other parties – Trinamool, AAP, NCP-Shiv Sena – in the fray after failed talks for an alliance could only end up muddying its chances.

    A look at the previous election results shows that the BJP had polled the maximum votes – 32.48 per cent – to emerge victorious on 13 seats in the 40-member assembly, while the Congress had garnered 28.35 per cent votes and won 17 seats.

    In percentage terms, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) had polled 11.27 per cent votes and managed to win three seats, while 58 Independent candidates had together garnered 11.12 per cent votes and three had emerged victorious.

    The AAP, which has unveiled grand plans for Goa and declared Amit Palekar as its chief ministerial face, had polled 6.27 per cent votes in the 2017 elections and failed to open its account, while Sharad Pawar-led NCP had managed to garner 2.28 per cent of the total valid votes and won one seat.

    The Shiv Sena, which plans to contest the Goa elections in alliance with the NCP, had managed to poll just 0.09 per cent of the total valid votes cast in the 2017 elections.

    “Politics in Goa is largely controlled by land mafia, Shiv Sena wants to put the common man at the centrestage of politics in the state,” Sena leader Sanjay Raut had told the media.

    He had said the Shiv Sena and the NCP were keen to form a Maharashtra-like alliance with the Congress in Goa, but the efforts came a cropper.

    For the 2022 elections, the Congress has entered into an alliance with the Goa Forward Party, while the BJP has refrained from entering into any coalition and plans to put up candidates on all the 40 seats.

    The Trinamool Congress has entered into an alliance with the MGP and weaned away leaders from the Congress and the NCP claiming to be the real challenger to the BJP.

    The Trinamool was not in the fray in Goa in 2017 elections, but had put up 20 candidates in the 2012 elections and managed to poll 1.81 per cent of the total valid votes cast.

    “Trinamool Congress is not a headache for the BJP. It is a headache for the Congress and Goa,” former Maharashtra chief minister and BJP in-charge of Goa elections Devendra Fadnavis told reporters here.

    In the 2012 assembly elections, the BJP had polled 34.68 per cent votes, followed by the Congress (30.78 per cent), the MGP (6.72 per cent), the NCP (4.08 per cent), Independents (16.67 per cent) and the Shiv Sena (0.02 per cent).

  • War of words between Fadnavis, NCP leaders as Pawar plans Goa foray

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: As the NCP seeks to make fresh inroads in Goa, a verbal duel has broken out between the Sharad Pawar-led party and former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

    Fadnavis, who is in charge of the BJP’s affairs in Goa, had mocked Pawar’s attempts to cobble up an alliance with the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the coastal state, which will go to polls on February 14.

    “A party does not acquire a national footprint by merely including ‘nationalist’ in its name. Though it is called the Nationalist Congress Party, in reality, the party is limited to western Maharashtra,” he had told reporters.

    NCP leaders Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule and Nawab Malik hit back at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and asked him to exercise restraint while speaking about Sharad Pawar.

    NCP chief spokesperson Malik reminded Fadnavis how the veteran leader had prevented him from returning as the chief minister after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly polls.

    “If he continues to speak in the same vein, Sharad Pawar will not hesitate to show him the ghats of Kashi,” he wrote on Twitter, in an apparent hint at ending the political career of the BJP leader.

    In the run-up to the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly polls, Fadnavis had famously declared that the era of Sharad Pawar’s brand of politics was over.

    “The era of Sharad Pawarji’s politics is over. The kind of politics he would play of making and breaking (parties) is over now. Such politics will not work. Generations have changed, people do not accept such politics now,” he had said.

    As the Shiv Sena walked out of its coalition with the BJP after the 2019 Maharashtra polls, Fadnavis had assumed office as chief minister with NCP leader Ajit Pawar as his deputy.

    However, the arrangement barely lasted for three days as Sharad Pawar ensured that none of the NCP MLAs supported the government.

    Fadnavis had to resign as chief minister within 80 hours and Ajit Pawar too returned to the NCP fold.

    Sharad Pawar then cobbled up an unlikely alliance of the Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress to deny the BJP, the single-largest party in the Assembly, a shot at power.

    Fadnavis has lost no opportunity to take a swipe at Sharad Pawar, who has hit back in equal measure.

    Last month, Fadnavis had scoffed at the NCP’s attempt to portray its chief as a prime ministerial candidate in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

    “The NCP has been dreaming about this since its inception, but it will not cross 10 seats,” Fadnavis had said.

  • Citing NCP leader, Shiv Sena MLA Shahajibapu Patil claims MVA deprives seniors of ministerial berths

    By PTI

    PUNE: A Shiv Sena MLA from Solapur district in Maharashtra on Sunday claimed that he could win the 2019 elections only due to the support of BJP, NCP and other small parties.

    Addressing a gathering in Pandharpur, MLA Shahajibapu Patil, who represents the Sangola constituency, also alleged that senior legislators like NCP’s Baban Shinde are deprived of a ministerial berth in the MVA government.

    Patil claimed that he was not given any ministry and was asked to keep quiet by his party after the elections.

    “There are only 1,100 votes of Shiv Sena in the tehsil. Despite that I was elected as an MLA due to the support of the BJP, NCP and other parties,” Patil claimed.

    The Uddhav Thackeray-led party heads the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government also comprising the NCP and Congress.

    The Sena fell out with the BJP after the 2019 polls claiming that its “just” claim to the post of the chief minister was rejected.

    Patil also alleged that he was asked to stay calm and not given any ministry.

    “It is understood that I am very new to the party (Shiv Sena) but there are others like Babanrao Shinde from NCP who have been winning for the last 30 years but they are still not given any ministerial berth,” he said.

  • Anil Deshmukh’s arrest, MSRTC strike, OBC quota, NCB may rock Maharashtra winter session

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The winter session of the Maharashtra legislature to be held between December 22 and 28, is likely to generate much heat as the opposition BJP may corner the Shiv Sena-led state government over a host of issues, including the OBC reservation stalemate, the ongoing strike of MSRTC workers, the arrest of former minister Anil Deshmukh, among others.

    The Maratha quota issue, the COVID-19 management in view of the emergence of the Omicron variant, issues surrounding the arrest of Aryan Khan, son of Shah Rukh Khan, in a drugs case, and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal officer Sameer Wankhede’s caste credentials, are also likely to rock both the Houses of the legislature.

    The winter session in Maharashtra is generally held in Nagpur, the second capital of the state, but it is being held in Mumbai for the second time in a row due to the pandemic.

    Former home minister and NCP leader Anil Deshmukh, who had resigned from the cabinet in April following charges of corruption, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in November in a money-laundering case.

    The case against Deshmukh and others was made out after the CBI booked him in a corruption case related to allegations of at least Rs 100 crore bribery made by former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh, who was suspended by the state government earlier this month.

    The arrest of Deshmukh and suspension of Param Bir Singh are two of the issues that the BJP is likely use to attack the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, in which Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress share power, during the winter session this time.

    NCP minister Nawab Malik has been targeting NCB officer Wankhede, who had led the raid on a cruise ship off Mumbai coast in October this year, where it allegedly recovered drugs during a raid on a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast, following which Aryan along was arrested along with others.

    Malik targeted Wankhede, alleging that he was born a Muslim but got his job in the Scheduled Castes quota by obtaining a bogus caste certificate.

    Wankhede denied the allegation and his father filed a defamation suit against Malik.

    This ongoing issue is also likely to figure during the session.

    Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who has resumed official work after a cervical spine surgery, is likely to attend the proceedings and the BJP is set to target him for not being on the field.

    The post of the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly has been lying vacant since February this year after Nana Patole resigned in order to take charge as the state Congress chief.

    However, there is no official mention about the election of speaker in the agenda of the session finalised so far.

    The state government has maintained that the election couldn’t be held earlier due to the pandemic.

    As per the tradition, the election of the assembly speaker has always been done unanimously, but this time, the government is concerned that the BJP may ask for an election through ballot.

    Therefore, the government plans to the amend the existing rules to enable that the speaker is elected through a voice vote on the floor of the house.

    Three-time Congress MLA from Bhor in Pune district, Sangram Thopte, is the frontrunner for the coveted post.

    The employees of the Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSRTC) have been on a strike since the last nearly two months over their demand of the transport body’s merger with the state government.

    Their protest has posed hardships for the common people.

    Transport minister Anil Parab, who is a close aide of CM Thackeray, is facing severe criticism over the handling of the issue.

    The Supreme Court earlier this year quashed quota for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in local bodies after observing that the total number of seats earmarked for various communities, including the SCs sand STs, should not exceed 50 per cent of its total strength.

    This BJP, which has been targeting the MVA over its “failure” to handle the quota issue, is likely to step up its attack during the winter session.

    The Shakti Bill, which has been drafted on the lines of the Disha Act, is also expected to come up for discussion this time.

  • Celebrating his 81st birthday, NCP leaders want to Sharad Pawar as prime minister one day

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: NCP chief Sharad Pawar celebrated his 81 birthday on Sunday in Mumbai where his party leaders decided to work hard to make Sharad Pawar the Prime Minister of India.

    NCP’s Lok Sabha MP Amol Kohle said that if the 26 Member of Parliament (MP) electing Gujarat can make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister of India, then why not the 48 MP electing Maharashtra to make Sharad Pawar as the PM?  He said that NCP chief Sharad Pawar has all qualities that require for the prime minister post.

    “Despite the capacity of electing the largest numbers of MP in Maharashtra after Uttar Pradesh, no one became the Prime Minister from Maharashtra. We as Maharashtrians need to introspect over it,” NCP MP asked.

    “Sharad Pawar is the simple man and grounded man, connected to people at the age of 81 also. Pawar saheb neither needs the Rs 5 Lakh worth suit to wear nor Rs 1000 worth mushroom to eat.  We need to work hard to make Sharad Pawar the Prime Minister of India,” said Kohle.

    He added that Sharad Pawar is the ideological heir of Shahu Maharaj, the first king in India to offer reservations in pre-independent India to the oppressed class. “Like Shahu Maharaj, Sharad Pawar was the first person in India to bring the women reservations in local body elections. He also allowed entry of the women in defence services. He is a pioneer in many fields that were taboo for women.”

    “Sharad Pawar tirelessly worked for the oppressed class and women. His 40 years central politics is always around with the development of agriculture, defence and empowerment of downtrodden people,” Kohle said adding that any big leader from India has always sought help from Sharad Pawar.

    “Sharad Pawar’s political and administrative experience is vast. During the earthquake, erstwhile prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpai praised his work.

    NCP chief Jayant Patil said that there is an ideological crisis in India. “There is an ideological fight in India and this can be won ideologically only. The students and youth should join the NCP and take the progressive thought of the NCP to every nook and corner of the country. The last man in the community should join our fight against the BJP,” Patil said.

  • Celebrating his 81st birthday, NCP leaders want Sharad Pawar as prime minister one day

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: NCP chief Sharad Pawar celebrated his 81 birthday on Sunday in Mumbai where his party leaders decided to work hard to make Sharad Pawar the Prime Minister of India.

    NCP’s Lok Sabha MP Amol Kohle said that if the 26 Member of Parliament (MP) electing Gujarat can make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister of India, then why not the 48 MP electing Maharashtra to make Sharad Pawar as the PM?  He said that NCP chief Sharad Pawar has all qualities that require for the prime minister post.

    “Despite the capacity of electing the largest numbers of MP in Maharashtra after Uttar Pradesh, no one became the Prime Minister from Maharashtra. We as Maharashtrians need to introspect over it,” NCP MP asked.

    “Sharad Pawar is the simple man and grounded man, connected to people at the age of 81 also. Pawar saheb neither needs the Rs 5 Lakh worth suit to wear nor Rs 1000 worth mushroom to eat.  We need to work hard to make Sharad Pawar the Prime Minister of India,” said Kohle.

    He added that Sharad Pawar is the ideological heir of Shahu Maharaj, the first king in India to offer reservations in pre-independent India to the oppressed class. “Like Shahu Maharaj, Sharad Pawar was the first person in India to bring the women reservations in local body elections. He also allowed entry of the women in defence services. He is a pioneer in many fields that were taboo for women.”

    “Sharad Pawar tirelessly worked for the oppressed class and women. His 40 years central politics is always around with the development of agriculture, defence and empowerment of downtrodden people,” Kohle said adding that any big leader from India has always sought help from Sharad Pawar.

    “Sharad Pawar’s political and administrative experience is vast. During the earthquake, erstwhile prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpai praised his work.

    NCP chief Jayant Patil said that there is an ideological crisis in India. “There is an ideological fight in India and this can be won ideologically only. The students and youth should join the NCP and take the progressive thought of the NCP to every nook and corner of the country. The last man in the community should join our fight against the BJP,” Patil said.

  • Secularism has harmed Muslims, says AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday asked Muslims to shun “political secularism” saying it has not helped the socially and educationally backward sections of the community in getting a quota in jobs and education.

    Addressing a rally in suburban Mumbai, Owaisi said he believes in secularism enshrined in Constitution.

    “What did Muslims get out of secularism? We did not get a reservation in jobs and education. We didn’t have participation in decision-making…no rights,” the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president said, adding that the word secularism has harmed Muslims.

    In Maharashtra, only 22 per cent of Muslims take admission in primary schools while only 4.9 per cent of Muslims graduate.

    He said 83 per cent of Muslims in Maharashtra are landless.

    “Does the heart of Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena beat only for Marathas?” he questioned.

    The standard of living of Marathas is much higher compared to Muslims in Maharashtra, he claimed.

    Referring to the imposition of section 144 of CrPC in Mumbai, which was brought in to check the spread of Omicron variant of coronavirus, Owaisi questioned if prohibitory orders will remain in place when Rahul Gandhi visits the Maharashtra capital later this month.

    “That time it will not be Omircron but power…,” he said.

    The Hyderabad MP said Congress and NCP joined hands with Sena for power and forgot the assurance of implementing a 5 per cent quota in jobs and education for the Muslim community.

    “Congress and NCP blame AIMIM for cutting secular votes. Is Shiv Sena secular? When (Sena president and Maharashtra CM) Uddhav Thackeray says in the legislature that he is proud that Shiv Sainiks destroyed the Babri mosque then these two parties kept quiet,” Owaisi said.

    The NCP and Congress are partners in the Sena-headed Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

    The erstwhile Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra had provided 5 per cent reservation to Muslims in jobs and education in 2014.

    The Bombay HC quashed the Maratha quota but upheld the Muslim quota in education.

    Opposition alleges that between 2014 and 2019, the issue of implementing this quota for Muslims was allegedly not taken up by the then BJP-Shiv Sena government.

    Speaking at the same rally, Aurangabad MP and Maharashtra AIMIM chief Imtiyaz Jaleel, who travelled to Mumbai by road from his constituency in Marathwada in 13 hours, alleged all attempts were made to stop him from reaching Mumbai.

    “Mumbai lo main aa gaya…” he told the charged audience.

    He thanked the police saying they were acting on orders from the top.

    “They were doing their job and I am doing my job,” Jaleel said.

    “We have to question the government on (the failure to implement) 5 per cent quota (for Muslims) and irregularities in Waqf land,” he said.

    Jaleel alleged that prohibitory orders in Mumbai are an excuse to stop the AIMIM rally.

    “Is the Omicron variant spreads only on December 11 and 12? Will it go away on December 13?” he asked.

    Jaleel alleged that Muslims have been used as a “toy” for securing votes during elections.

    He said Muslims should learn from Marathas on the quota demand.

    Jaleel alleged that 93,000 acres of Waqf land have been misappropriated and that he has lodged nine FIRs so far as he is a member of the Waqf Board.

    “Despite the Bombay High Court upholding 5 per cent quota in education and jobs for Muslims, the decision hasn’t been implemented. When Congress and NCP were in opposition, they would fight with BJP and Sena for implementing the quota for Muslims. But now despite being in power for two years, nothing has happened on the quota front,” he said.

    Jaleel said heavy police deployment at Vashi while entering Mumbai made him think whether he was an MP or a terrorist.

    “I was stopped by a police officer asking me to remove the tricolour from my vehicle. I was told that I will not be allowed to proceed with the flag. I told the police that they can keep my vehicle. I will walk to Mumbai with the tricolour,” he said.

    Jaleel said the country can’t progress if Muslims are deprived of their rights.