News Analysis India

Tag: Sharad Pawar

  • Ex-agriculture minister Pawar bats for GM crops to improve food security

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Former Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has made a strong pitch for use of genetically modified (GM) crops, saying ignoring advances in crop science could adversely affect the country’s food security.

    Delivering the Annasaheb Shinde Centenary Memorial lecture here on Wednesday, Pawar said even European nations, which were “vehemently opposed” to genetically engineered crops, have begun to change their views in the face of the food crisis presented by the Covid pandemic and the recent Ukraine-Russia war.

    “India lately became complacent and started neglecting the developments in science, particularly the new genetics and breeding,” said Pawar, who served as the Union agriculture minister from 2004 to 2014.

    Speaking at the event, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari called for changing cropping patterns to boost the production of oilseeds and keeping in mind the demands of the global economy.

    Pawar pointed out that India had not allowed the cultivation of genetically modified mustard in spite of the known success of the first biotech crop – GM cotton.

    “”What happens now is well known. We are importing edible oil worth Rs 80,000 crore annually, including the one produced from GM soybean and mustard,” Pawar said, making a strong pitch for use of science to increase food production. “We were self-sufficient and hence could afford drawing room suggestions on how food could be produced. Even the so-called elitists with little or no background of agriculture science offered advice on research and development,”” the NCP chief said.

    “The activism emerged to oppose everything, which is linked to genetic progress and even dictated the policy agenda of the government,” Pawar said.

    He also slammed the government for the flip-flop on the policy of agricultural exports at a time when the world was looking towards India to address issues of food security.

    Pawar pointed out that Britain recently introduced the genetic technology (precision breeding) bill in their parliament to cut red tape and support the development of innovative technologies to grow more nutritious and productive crops in the wake of climate change.

    He said recently countries such as Australia, Canada, and Brazil that had earlier opposed genetically altered crops were embracing such technologies to address issues related to food security.

    He credited Annasaheb Shinde, the Deputy Minister for Agriculture, for encouraging the use of technology for better crops in the 1960s which made India self-sufficient in food production.

    NEW DELHI: Former Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has made a strong pitch for use of genetically modified (GM) crops, saying ignoring advances in crop science could adversely affect the country’s food security.

    Delivering the Annasaheb Shinde Centenary Memorial lecture here on Wednesday, Pawar said even European nations, which were “vehemently opposed” to genetically engineered crops, have begun to change their views in the face of the food crisis presented by the Covid pandemic and the recent Ukraine-Russia war.

    “India lately became complacent and started neglecting the developments in science, particularly the new genetics and breeding,” said Pawar, who served as the Union agriculture minister from 2004 to 2014.

    Speaking at the event, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari called for changing cropping patterns to boost the production of oilseeds and keeping in mind the demands of the global economy.

    Pawar pointed out that India had not allowed the cultivation of genetically modified mustard in spite of the known success of the first biotech crop – GM cotton.

    “”What happens now is well known. We are importing edible oil worth Rs 80,000 crore annually, including the one produced from GM soybean and mustard,” Pawar said, making a strong pitch for use of science to increase food production. “We were self-sufficient and hence could afford drawing room suggestions on how food could be produced. Even the so-called elitists with little or no background of agriculture science offered advice on research and development,”” the NCP chief said.

    “The activism emerged to oppose everything, which is linked to genetic progress and even dictated the policy agenda of the government,” Pawar said.

    He also slammed the government for the flip-flop on the policy of agricultural exports at a time when the world was looking towards India to address issues of food security.

    Pawar pointed out that Britain recently introduced the genetic technology (precision breeding) bill in their parliament to cut red tape and support the development of innovative technologies to grow more nutritious and productive crops in the wake of climate change.

    He said recently countries such as Australia, Canada, and Brazil that had earlier opposed genetically altered crops were embracing such technologies to address issues related to food security.

    He credited Annasaheb Shinde, the Deputy Minister for Agriculture, for encouraging the use of technology for better crops in the 1960s which made India self-sufficient in food production.

  • Shinde has 37; Pawar says prove it on floor of House

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI:  With rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde showcasing the support of 37 party MLAs in a group photo-op at a Guwahati hotel on Thursday, he appeared to have the numbers to escape the anti-defection law. Also seen in the group photo were nine Independent MLAs.

    But NCP chief Sharad Pawar rallied around beleaguered Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, saying numerical strength can only be proved in a trust vote on the floor of the Assembly. He blamed the BJP for engineering it, citing Shinde’s claim that it had assured all support.

    With the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition making hectic efforts to draw the rebels back home, Sena leader Sanjay Raut sought to dangle a carrot by claiming the party was prepared to concede their demand to step out the alliance if all of them return within 24 hours and meet Uddhav. 

    Parallelly, the Sena was said to have asked the Deputy Speaker to take action against those MLAs who did not attend the legislature party meeting. For their part, the rebels said, “we do not want a change in party president; we want the unatural Aghadi alliance to go and a new a government with the BJP for various reasons. (a) We want harassment by central enforcement agencies to stop. (b) NCP is our real political opponent on the ground. Whenever fresh Assembly elections are held, NCP and Congress cannot be expected to transfer votes to Shiv Sena because they have been our traditional foes. However, when BJP was the ally, the transfer of votes was smooth. (c) BJP is a big party, so keeping it in good humour is smart politics.” 

    But Raut said those afraid of CBI, ED or income tax raids are not hardcore Shiv Sainiks. As for Shinde, his support group appears to be swelling. When he had initially shepharded them to Surat, his MLA count was 20. It went up to 22 by the time he flew out of Surat to Guwahati, where more joined in. On Thursday, four other Sena MLAs entered his camp, taking his score to 37. 

    Twists and turns

    Sanjay Raut claims Sena open to considering quitting Aghadi if rebels return in 24 hours
    NCP, Cong downplay Raut’s remark, vow to support Uddhav govt
    Pawar blames BJP for the crisis
    But Dy CM Ajit Pawar says he does not see any BJP role in the rebellion

  • Uddhav Thackeray government’s fate will be decided in Assembly: NCP chief Sharad Pawar

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: NCP president Sharad Pawar on Thursday said the fate of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra will be decided on the floor of the Legislative Assembly, and the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress coalition will prove its majority in a trust vote.

    Addressing a press conference amid the turmoil caused by the rebellion by Sena minister Eknath Shinde and several Sena MLAs, Pawar also asserted that the BJP has played a role in the crisis that has befallen the Uddhav Thackeray-led government.

    CLICK HERE FOR LIVE COVERAGE OF MAHARASHTRA’S POLITICAL CRISIS

    “The fate of the MVA government will be decided in the Assembly, not in Guwahati (where the rebels are camping). The MVA will prove its majority on the floor of the House,” Pawar said. He was replying to a question whether the MVA has been reduced a minority as the Shinde-led rebel faction has claimed the support of 37 Shiv Sena MLAs and ten Independent legislators.

    Asked about deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar’s statement that he did not see the BJP’s role in the rebellion within the Sena, Pawar said he did not agree with his nephew. “Ajit Pawar may have said so because he does not know BJP leaders from outside Maharashtra. I know them. Even Eknath Shinde has said a national party has assured him of all assistance,” Pawar said.

    As other national parties like BSP, CPM, CPI, Congress and NCP have no role to play in destabilizing the MVA, Shinde was referring only to the BJP, he said. The rebel MLAs will have to come back to Mumbai and face the Assembly, he said, adding that BJP leaders “from Gujarat and Assam will not be coming here to guide them”.

    ALSO READ| ‘We stand by CM Uddhav Thackeray’: NCP to support crisis-hit MVA

    Pawar also refuted allegations by rebel Shiv Sena MLAs that they faced difficulties in getting funds for their constituencies as the finance ministry, which is controlled by NCP’s Ajit Pawar, discriminated against them, and the Sena has given up its Hindutva ideology. “All these are excuses, some of these MLAs are facing probe by central agencies,” he said.

    The NCP chief also said that the rebels will have to face consequences, recalling that when Chhagan Bhujbal defected from the Shiv Sena to join Congress in the 1990s, all his supporters except one lost the Assembly election. ”These rebels will face the same fate,” Pawar said.

    On Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut’s Thursday’s statement that the Sena was ready to quit the MVA if the rebels relented, Pawar said the statement was made to bring them back to Mumbai.

  • Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee, Mallikarjun Kharge to evolve President consensus

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday fobbed off requests from several parties to become the joint Opposition candidate for the forthcoming Presidential polls, at a two-hour meeting called by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee here. Mamata set the ball rolling by proposing his name and getting the concurrence of several others. But Pawar politely declined.

    The meeting that had representation from 18 Opposition parties urged him to reconsider his decision. But Pawar sought to put a lid on it, taking to his Twitter handle later to say: “I sincerely appreciate the leaders of opposition parties for suggesting my name as a candidate for the election of the President of India, at the meeting.

    However, I like to state that I have humbly declined the proposal of my candidature.” The meeting adopted a unanimous resolution to field a common Opposition candidate in the Presidential elections. It decided to tentatively meet again on June 21, informed CPI MP Binoy Viswam. Mamata, Pawar and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge were authorised to consult other parties to evolve a consensus on the matter.

    With Pawar shutting the door, sources said Mamata suggested the names of National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and retired diplomat Gopalkrishna Gandhi for consideration as alternative candidates. The suggestion was met with a stony silence, an opposition MP informed. Kharge said his party has no particular name in mind but will sit with others to play a constructive role to arrive at a consensus if Pawar continues declining the offer.

    Mamata said she will consult other parties that could not make it to the meeting, like AAP, SAD, AIMIM, TRS and BJD. Parallelly, BJP leader Rajnath Singh called up Opposition leaders like Kharge, Mamata and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to build a national consensus on the Presidential elections. He also spoke to JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar.

    Sources said Opposition leaders sought to know the NDA nominee for the high post. BJP chief J P Nadda, too worked the phones, to reach out to leaders of parties like the BJD, YSR Cong, JD(U), RJD, TRS, DMK and others with whom he is has good rapport.

    Too premature to comment: Gandhi“It is too premature to comment,” Gopalkrishna Gandhi, said when asked about his candidature. He is the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and was the consensus opposition pick for Vice President in 2017

  • President polls: Pawar urged Opposition leaders to discuss some other names during next meeting, says NCP

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The NCP on Wednesday said that even as the leaders of 17 opposition parties urged party chief Sharad Pawar to be the joint opposition candidate for the presidential election, he once again declined the offer and requested the parties to propose some other names during the meeting to be held next week in Delhi.

    The NCP, which is part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra, also thanked the 17 opposition parties for suggesting Pawar’s name for the presidential poll.

    “NCP thanks all the 17 opposition parties for unanimously recommending the name of NCP president Sharad Pawar as the presidential candidate of the united opposition. But Pawar saheb has declined to be the candidate for the same. The next meeting to discuss the more names will be held in Delhi on June 21,” NCP’s chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said in a statement.

    Leaders of 17 opposition parties, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, NCP, DMK, RJD and the Left parties on Wednesday attended the over two-hour-long meeting called by the Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to build consensus on fielding a joint candidate against the BJP-led NDA in the presidential election.

    The leaders of several opposition parties urged Pawar to be the joint opposition candidate for the election, but the veteran leader once again declined the offer.

    “All the opposition parties feel that the candidature of Pawar is most suited for the president’s post owing to his long political experience and his unshakable faith in Indian democracy.

    The leaders feel that Pawar’s name will find favour with many other political parties who are currently with the BJP,” Tapase said.

    “However, Pawar declined to be the candidate for the president’s post and requested all the leaders of the opposition to think of other names regarding the choice of candidates when the leaders meet once again on June 21 in Delhi,” he added.

    Polls to elect the successor to incumbent President Ram Nath Kovind would be held on July 18.

    The BJP-led NDA is comfortably placed to win the presidential election, with its vote share touching the 50 per cent mark of the total electors.

    As many as 17 opposition parties, including the Congress, DMK, NCP and the Samajwadi Party, attended the crucial meeting convened to build consensus on fielding a joint candidate against the BJP-led NDA in the July 18 presidential election.

    A second meeting of the opposition parties will be convened by Pawar on June 20 or 21, sources said.

    After Pawar declined the offer, Banerjee later suggested the names of National Conference president and MP Farooq Abdullah and former West Bengal governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi, the sources said.

    “I sincerely appreciate the leaders of opposition parties for suggesting my name as a candidate for the election of the President of India, at the meeting held in Delhi. However I like to state that I have humbly declined the proposal of my candidature,” Pawar tweeted after the meeting.

    The meeting adopted a resolution: “In the forthcoming presidential election held in the year of the 75th anniversary of Indian independence, we have decided to field a common candidate who will truly serve as the custodian of the Constitution and stop the Modi government from doing further damage to India’s social fabric and democracy.”

    Banerjee said the significant aspect of this meeting was that all parties, barring one or two, have sent their representatives and senior leaders have attended it.

    “There will be one consensus candidate. All parties gave unanimous consensus for Sharad Pawarji, but he has said no. He said he is not interested,” she said.

    She alleged that the country’s institutions are being bulldozed and said there is need “for all of us to sit together.”

    Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said there were many senior leaders in attendance and he urged Pawar to preside over the meeting.

    Leaders of the Congress, Samajwadi Party, NCP, DMK, RJD and the Left parties attended the over two-hour-long meeting called by the Trinamool Congress supremo.

    Leaders of Shiv Sena, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML), National Conference, PDP, JD(S), RSP, IUML, RLD and the JMM were among those who attended the meeting, which took place on the day the nomination for the presidential election began.

    Regional rivalries were on display at the opposition meeting as some non-BJP parties such as the AAP, SAD, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Odisha’s ruling BJD skipped it.

    The presidential election would be held on July 18.

    The process of nominations for the poll started on Wednesday, with 11 people filing their nominations on the first day.

    After the meeting, DMK leader T R Baalu said some leaders have requested that Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress, Pawar and Banerjee negotiate and discuss the issue of a consensus opposition candidate for the presidential election with all non-BJP parties.

    RJD’s Manoj Jha, however, said the leaders would convince Pawar to reconsider the offer as he was the right candidate.

    CPI’s Binoy Viswam said, “There was consensus in the meeting that there should be only one candidate who is acceptable to all.”

    The Congress Wednesday said it will play a constructive role in ensuring all opposition parties arrive at a consensus candidate for the presidential poll, and urged them to be proactive rather than reactive in making the decision.

    Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Kharge said his party has no particular candidate in mind for the poll, and that it will sit together with other parties to arrive at a name acceptable to all.

    Kharge said the consensus opposition candidate for the highest constitutional post in the country should be someone committed to upholding the Constitution and preserving the secular fabric of “our diverse society and speaking out boldly against the forces of prejudice, hatred, bigotry and polarisation”.

    Kharge said as Congress President Sonia Gandhi is unwell and has been hospitalised, she has asked him to speak to leaders of various parties opposed to the “divisive and destructive policies of the RSS/BJP” to explore the possibility of a joint opposition candidate for the presidential election.

    The leaders who attended the meeting included Pawar and Praful Patel of the NCP; Kharge, Jairam Ramesh and Randeep Surjewala of the Congress; H D Deve Gowda and H D Kumaraswamy of the JD(S); Akhilesh Yadav of the SP; Mehbooba Mufti of the PDP; and Omar Abdullah of the National Conference.

    The meeting which began at 3 pm ended a little after 5 PM.

    Banerjee last week invited leaders of 19 political parties, including seven chief ministers, for the meeting in the national capital to produce a “confluence of opposition voices” for the July 18 election.

    A day ahead of the meeting, Banerjee and Left party leaders had met Pawar at his residence separately to try and convince him to be the common opposition candidate for the top constitutional post.

    With the ruling NDA having about half of the votes of the electoral college and the possible support of fence-sitters like the BJD, AIADMK and YSR, its candidate is likely to sail through the contest.

  • Sharad Pawar opts out of Presidential fray at Opposition meeting: Sources

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Maharashtra leader and former Union minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday declined West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s offer to be the Opposition’s Presidential candidate, saying he “still has an active political innings to play”, according to sources.

    Pawar, 81, had earlier shut down speculation on the top post at a meeting with his party leaders, who revealed that the NCP leader was reluctant to fight “a losing battle”.

    A crucial meeting of Opposition parties convened by Mamata Banerjee to build consensus on fielding a joint candidate against the NDA in the presidential election here on Wednesday with leaders of at least 17 parties in attendance.

    Leaders of the Congress, Samajwadi Party, NCP, DMK, RJD and the Left parties attended the meeting called by the Trinamool Congress supremo, while the AAP, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Odisha’s ruling BJD skipped it.

    Leaders of Shiv Sena, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML), National Conference, PDP, JD(S), RSP, IUML, RLD and the JMM attended the meeting, which took place on a day the nomination for the Presidential election began.

    Apart from Pawar, NCP leader Praful Patel, Mallikarjun Kharge, Jairam Ramesh and Randeep Surjewala of the Congress, HD Deve Gowda and H D Kumaraswamy of the JD(S), Akhilesh Yadav of the SP, Mehbooba Mufti of the PDP, Omar Abdullah of the National Conference were among the prominent leaders in the meeting.

    ALSO READ | Sharad Pawar refused to be Opposition’s Presidential nominee, says Yechury after meet

    The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) skipped the meeting at the Constitution Club in the national capital, besides the Aam Aadmi Party, TRS and the BJD.

    The meeting began at 3 pm.

    West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee last week invited leaders of 19 political parties, including seven chief ministers, for a meeting in the national capital to produce a “confluence of opposition voices” for the election on July 18.

    A day ahead of the meeting, Banerjee and Left party leaders met NCP chief Sharad Pawar at his residence separately to try and convince him to be the common opposition candidate for the top constitutional post.

    With numbers on its side — the ruling NDA has about half the votes of the electoral college — and the possible support of fence-sitters like the BJD, AIADMK and YSRCP, the NDA candidate will likely sail through the contest.

  • Mamata meets Pawar; Yechury says NCP chief said no to being Oppn nominee for prez poll

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Left leaders met NCP chief Sharad Pawar separately on Tuesday trying to convince the veteran leader to be the joint opposition nominee for the presidential election.

    Pawar, however, refused, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said after his meeting with him. Pawar met Yechury, CPI general secretary D Raja, and NCP leaders Praful Patel and P C Chacko in Delhi and conveyed to them his decision to not contest the election.

    “I have been informed that Pawar will not be the opposition face for the presidential poll, other names are under consideration,” said Yechury.

    Opposition sources said Pawar was not keen to enter a battle which he is destined to lose at this point in his political career.

    Banerjee is in Delhi for a meeting of non-BJP parties she has convened to formulate a joint strategy for the upcoming presidential poll.

    Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress supremo, has convened the meeting on June 15 at the Constitution Club in the national capital for discussions to come out with a consensus opposition candidate. The election of the President of India will be held on July 18.

  • Congress wants Sharad Pawar as Opposition candidate for Presidential elections, reaches out to NCP chief

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi wants to propose NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s name as the united Opposition candidate in the upcoming Presidential Elections. However, Pawar has not taken any call over the matter.

    The Presidential polls is scheduled for July 18 while counting will take place on July 21.

    According to the highly placed sources, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge recently met the NCP chief at Silver Oak in Mumbai. 

    “In this meeting, Kharge conveyed Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s message that NCP chief Sharad Pawar should contest the presidential elections as a united candidate of Opposition against the BJP candidate. In presidential elections, smaller and regional parties, votes are crucial and play a major role. NCP chief has relations across the party and he can easily shore up the required numbers in this election. However, Pawar has not said yes or no to Congress. Once he made up his mind, then this decision will be against discussed party and opposition forum to take the final call and make an announcement,” said a senior Congress leader who was privy to development.

    He further added that Kharge also met Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and discussed Pawar’s name as a president candidate. 

    “Uddhav Thackeray is also positive to see Sharad Pawar as the president of India. He said that Pawar has 50 years of electoral politics experience. He was chief minister of Maharashtra for four times and defence minister and agriculture minister. He played a major role in the development of Maharashtra and India and he deserves such a coveted post at the fag end of his career. Thackeray will also dial up other parties to garner the support for Pawar in presidential elections,” said the source requested anonymity.

    Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Sunday said that they will like to support NCP chief as the Presidential candidate. Patole said Congress is ready to support the NCP chief. 

    “It will be an honour if Marathi manoos is president of India. We have decided to support NCP chief Sharad Pawar as the presidential candidate,” Patole said. 

    Sources said that Aam Aadmi Party leaders also met with Pawar and they were also ready to support the latter as a Presidential Election candidate. 

    “After Sonia Gandhi’s proposal to Pawar as a candidate for the Presidential polls, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had also called Mr Pawar and extended her support. She has also promised to rally other regional parties behind NCP chief,” said the source requested anonymity.

    Pawar has not issued any statement about this development.

    However, his party leaders said that they would be happy if the NCP becomes the President of India. 

    Senior NCP chief Chagan Bhujbal said that he will be more than happy to see his party supremo in that coveted post. 

    He also added that there was a positive discussion going on in the Opposition front to field the NCP chief. 

    “If it happens and  Pawar saheb gets elected, then he will be the happiest person. I will celebrate this moment,” Bhujbal said. 

    Interestingly, BJP has not opened its cards yet. Notably, Pawar shares a good relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

  • Maha RS poll results not shocking; NCP got extra vote from ‘opposite side’ independent MLA: Pawar 

    BJP candidates – Union minister Piyush Goyal and former state minister Anil Bonde, and Dhananjay Mahadik – won the fiercely contested election conducted on Friday.

  • After Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, NCP chief Sharad Pawar bats for caste-based census for OBC reservations

    By Express News Service

    PATNA: After Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday demanded the caste-based census to ascertain the exact population percentage each caste including Other Backward Class (OBC) community. 

    NCP has organised the other backward class meet in Mumbai where the resolution was passed that caste based census should be carried out by the central government. In the meeting, it was also decided without OBC reservations, the local body elections should not be done. Maha Vikas Aghadi is committed to resolve the OBC reservations issue. “This issue is not only limited to Maharashtra, but across the Indian. We need to work to make awareness among the society and OBC community,” NCP chief said. 

    NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that it is the constitutional right of the OBC to get the reservations but central government is depriving them from their legitimate and constitutional rights.  He said they will fight for caste-based census. “Let’s ascertain the exact population of the each community including OBC by carrying out the caste-based census. As per the each community population, the reservations should be given to them. The scheduled caste and scheduled tribe after getting the reservations, they socially and economically progressed.  The same benefits should be given to OBC. The OBC are not asking and demanding much, but it is given and protected in the constitution,” Pawar said. 

    NCP chief said that BJP is against giving reservations to OBC. “BJP was in power in state and central in last five years. What did they do for OBC reservations? They could not give political reservation to OBC. Now, they are blaming to Maha Vikas Aghadi. The social reformer Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Dr BR Ambedkar etc worked hard to give justice to oppressed class. Shahu Maharaj gave 50 per cent reservations to backward class. That time also many people opposed the reservations to backward class but he did not listen to them. Even today, we are facing the same problem,” Pawar said. 

    He added Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is formed government with the help of the BJP in Bihar still he demanded caste-based census. “I feel that as long as BJP led government is in central, they will not give reservations to OBC. The reason the mentality of the people who in power in central is not in favour of reservations. RSS mother organisation of the BJP is against the reservations,” Pawar said. 

    NCP minister and OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal said that the OBC reservations is not a political but the social issue. He said why BJP affiliated people went to Supreme Court against the OBC reservations? “Prime minister Narendra Modi calls himself OBC, but his government refused to give the empirical data for the OBC reservations. It shows the mentally of the BJP leadership. They are against OBC and it’s reservations,” Bhujbal said.