After Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, NCP chief Sharad Pawar hosted chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday. Both leaders even shared the dias for an event. The CM’s visit has gained more significance in the backdrop of poll results of the Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation.
At Baramati, Mr Fadnavis inaugurated a three-day agro exhibition organised by Krishi Vigyan Kenda. The chief minister reached at the venue in a battery-operated vehicle along with Mr Pawar, both leaders even taking a round of the exhibition in the same car. The NCP chief was seated at the front seat of the vehicle while Mr Fadnavis and agriculture minister Eknath Khadse, who accompanied the CM, sat with him in the back.
However, during his speech in the Appasaheb Pawar auditorium, Mr Pawar did not forget to remind the chief minister that three years ago Maharashtra was leading in pulses’ production. The comment came from the senior NCP leader in the backdrop of skyrocketing prices of pulses across the country.
Significantly, senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who is also facing a probe by ACB in an alleged irrigation scam, was also present at today’s event at Baramati.
The CM’s visit is crucial as it was Mr Pawar who criticised him over his “ignorance” towards the agrarian crisis in the state. Mr Pawar even recently participated in a farmers rally in Osmanabad organised against the state government.
Last month, Union finance minister Jaitley had lauded Mr Pawar for his role in the development of Baramati district. Mr Jaitley even called for the replication of the ‘Baramati model’ for development of the country. “Our country will require hundreds of cities like Baramati for the progress of the economy,” Mr Jaitley had said.
He was not alone. In February this year, even Prime Minister Narenda Modi had praised Mr Pawar and even had dinner with the Pawar family at their residence. While addressing a farmers’ rally organised by the NCP chief in Baramati, the Prime Minister had complimented him and had spoken about their friendship.
“Mr Pawar has years of experience and he knows more than I do. It is my responsibility to seek his guidance when I am faced with an issue,” Mr Modi had said.
