PM Modi 'dividing' society, will have no association BJP allies: Sharad Pawar

Sharad Pawar accuses Modi of dividing society, confident in MVA's return to power in Maharashtra.

Senior Opposition leader Sharad Pawar on Friday (November 15, 2024) accused Narendra Modi of "dividing" the society as he slammed the Prime Minister's campaign speeches and asserted that popular "unrest" against the ruling alliance will help the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) return to power in Maharashtra.

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When asked about the possibility of a post-election reunion with his estranged nephew Ajit Pawar, the senior leader emphasised that he will not have any truck with parties associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

In an interview with PTI, Mr. Pawar, considered the architect of the Opposition MVA in Maharashtra, said the ruling Mahayuti has been using a "tremendous amount of monetary strength", including through cash transfer schemes, to influence the elections following its poor show in the State in the Lok Sabha elections.

But people will reject them, he said.

The four-term former Maharashtra Chief Minister and ex-Union Minister was blistering in his criticism of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, whose "batenge to katenge" slogan has drawn criticism from even some BJP leaders and allies like Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

The Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president said, "He [Adityanath] is known for these communal expressions. Why give him importance? I don't want to utter even one sentence about him. These are the people who wear saffron clothes and perpetrate communalism. They are doing a disservice to the nation."