Former PMs worked to make new India, the incumbent one only criticises others: Sharad Pawar

Sharad Pawar criticizes PM Modi, praises Nehru's contributions, warns against autocracy, and apologizes for past election mistake in Amravati

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) (NCP-SP) leader Sharad Pawar on April 22 claimed Former Prime Ministers worked to make a new India but PM Narendra Modi only criticises others and doesn't speak about what his government had done for the people in the last ten years.

Addressing a campaign rally in Amravati for a Maha Vikas Aghadi candidate, Mr. Pawar said former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's contribution to the country cannot be questioned.

He claimed some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders had spoken publicly about changing the Constitution and appealed to the people to not allow autocracy to take shape in India.

A high-profile poll battle is shaping up in the Amravati Lok Sabha constituency where the BJP has fielded Navneet Rana, the sitting MP who won the 2019 polls as an Independent candidate, against Balwant Wankhede of Congress.

Mr. Pawar alleged PM Modi was trying to create fear and emulating Russian President Vladamir Putin.

Mr. Pawar said he has come to apologise to the people of Amravati for the "mistake" he had committed in the 2019 elections by supporting the candidate (Navneet Rana).

"In the last elections, I had sought the support of people and made an appeal (to elect Rana). People elected the candidate I had appealed for. Time has come to amend that mistake," he said.