In Sunetra Pawar's presence, PM Modi jabs Sharad Pawar: 'Unsatisfied spirit'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday made a veiled attack on NCP founder Sharad Pawar, calling him an "unsatisfied spirit" and blaming him for the political instability in Maharashtra.

Interestingly, PM Modi made these remarks in the presence of Sunetra Pawar, who is contesting the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, against NCP's Supriya Sule, the daughter of Sharad Pawar. Sunetra Pawar is the wife of Ajit Pawar, the nephew of Sharad Pawar.

Addressing a rally in Pune, PM Modi said, "Unsatisfied spirit in Maharashtra led to instability 45 years ago and now the work of destabilising the country is being done by this person."

In 1978, Sharad Pawar broke ranks with the Congress (U), the breakaway faction of the Indira Gandhi-led Congress, and formed a government with the support of the Janata Party. In the process, Sharad Pawar became the youngest Maharashtra Chief Minister at 38.

Sharpening his attack on Sharad Pawar, PM Modi said, "Forty-five years ago, a great leader started this game for his ambition. Since then, Maharashtra has been dragged into a period of instability, after which many Chief Ministers could not complete their tenure."

"There are some wandering souls. Those whose desires are not fulfilled, their souls continue to wander. If their own work is not done, they start spoiling the work of others," he said.

The Prime Minister also accused Sharad Pawar, without naming him, of attempting to destabilise the BJP-Shiv Sena government in 1995.

"This spirit not only destabilises opponents but can do anything. This soul does the same in its party. It does the same in the family. Even when the BJP-Shiv Sena government came to power in Maharashtra in 1995, this spirit was working to destabilise the government," he alleged.

Speaking on the political scenario in the state in 2019, when the Shiv Sena broke its alliance with the BJP over power-sharing, PM Modi said the people's mandate "was insulted".

"The mandate was insulted so much that the people of Maharashtra know very well. But today, this spirit is playing the game of creating instability not only in Maharashtra but also in the country," he claimed.

The Prime Minister made the comments at a rally organised to support four NDA candidates from Baramati, Pune, Maval and Shirur.

While Sunetra Pawar is fighting from Baramati on an NCP ticket, Murlidhar Mohol is the BJP candidate from Pune. Shiv Sena's Shrirang Barne is the candidate from Maval and Shivaji Adhalrao, also from Shiv Sena, is trying his luck from Shirur.

Voting in Baramati will be held on May 7 while polling in Maval, Pune and Shirur will be done on May 13. Results are expected to be declared on June 4.

Tune In