Tag: Sharad

Adani hard-working, down to earth: Sharad Pawar in 2015 autobiography

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New Delhi: NCP chief Sharad Pawar may have broken ranks with other opposition parties on the Adani issue, but his friendship with Gautam Adani dates back to nearly two decades when the businessman was exploring expansion into the coal sector.
In his Marathi autobiography ‘Lok Maze Saangati ‘ published in 2015, Pawar has lavished praise on Adani describing him as “hard-working, simple, down to earth” and with ambition to make big in the infrastructure sector.
The veteran leader also wrote that it was at his insistence that Adani ventured into the thermal power sector.

Pawar recounts in the book how Adani built his corporate empire from scratch starting as a salesman in Mumbai locals, dabbling in small ventures before trying his luck in the diamond industry.
“He was earning well in the diamond industry, but Gautam was not interested in that. He had ambitions to enter the infrastructure sector. He had good relations with Gujarat Chief Minister Chimanbhai Patel and had submitted a proposal to develop a port at Mundhra,” the NCP chief wrote.
He recalled that Patel had warned Adani of the port being closer to the Pakistan border and in an arid region. “Despite the adversities, he accepted the challenge”.
Pawar wrote that later Adani made his foray in the coal sector and it was at his suggestion that the businessman ventured into the thermal power sector.
Pawar, who was the then Union Agriculture Minister, said he had made the suggestion to Adani during a function to mark the death anniversary of NCP leader Praful Patel’s father at Gondiya in Maharashtra.

“Gautam acknowledged my suggestion in his speech. Usually, nothing much happens on statements made from the podium, but Gautam pursued the matter and established a 3,000 MW thermal power plant in Bhandara,” the former Maharashtra chief minister said.
In the book, Pawar recounts how he developed close ties with several businessmen as he sought to usher in development in Maharashtra during his decades-long political career.
The NCP chief said he remained in regular touch with business leaders who could meet him without appointment daily between 2 pm and 4 pm during his tenure as the chief minister.
Pawar recounted his arrangement with the then Gujarat chief minister Chimanbhai Patel, who would divert big projects to Maharashtra. Pawar said he reciprocated the gesture by sending some small projects to Gujarat, an arrangement that ensured the two states scaled greater heights on the economic front.
Pawar has also written about how he helped Hyundai Motors set up a manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu after the Korean carmaker faced some hurdles in setting up business in Maharashtra during the Shiv Sena-BJP rule.
Amid a strident opposition campaign demanding an investigation into the Adani Group by a Joint Parliamentary Committee, Pawar surprised his fellow opposition leaders by favouring a probe into the dealings of the Gujarat-based business house by a Supreme Court-appointed panel.
Pawar also came out in support of the Adani Group and criticised the narrative around Hindenburg Research’s report on the conglomerate, saying that he felt that the business group was “targeted” and that he was not aware of the antecedents of the US-based short-selling firm.
Pawar has charted a different course than the Congress on issues such as criticism of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and the Adani Group.
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#Adani #hardworking #earth #Sharad #Pawar #autobiography
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 9, 2023
After row, Sharad Pawar ‘clarifies’ on JPC probe remarks, bats for SC panel

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Mumbai: A day after his sensational remarks expressing doubts over a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Hindenburg Research report against the Adani Group, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar on Saturday claimed that he was in favour of a Supreme Court-monitored investigation.
The senior leader also frowned at the manner in which the names of industrialists like Ambani-Adani were being tossed around to target the BJP government at the Centre instead of bigger issues like inflation, unemployment and farmers.
Clarifying his stance after the ruckus following his comments to a TV channel on Friday, Pawar said he was not opposed to the JPC probe, but if the Committee comprises 21 members, then 15 would be from the ruling side and the remaining six from the Opposition side.

In view of the imbalance, coupled with the government’s majority in both Houses of Parliament, the NCP supremo opined that the JPC report would only “endorse the government’s stand on the Adani issue”.
“I feel that instead of a JPC, a Supreme Court-appointed commission is more reliable and independent,” said Pawar, adding that he had no knowledge of the Rs 20,000 crore raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
He also attempted to delink the question of a united Opposition front vis-a-vis the demand for a JPC and said the two are not connected though his utterances sent shockwaves among the Opposition circles.
“I don’t think the demand for JPC has anything to do with Opposition unity. We have also made the same plea but it would be commanded by the ruling party, so I spoke about a SC-named panel,” declared Pawar.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said in Mumbai that “there’s nothing new in what Pawar has said”, and his statement would have no impact on the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in the state as speculated in some sections of the media.

The Congress has yet to respond in the matter after Pawar’s interview to a news channel questioning the demand for a JPC probe, the credence to be given to a report by a foreign institution.
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#row #Sharad #Pawar #clarifies #JPC #probe #remarks #bats #panel
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 8, 2023
Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification goes against basic tenets of Constitution, says Sharad Pawar

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Mumbai: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as a Lok Sabha member was against the basic tenets of the Constitution and was a “condemnable” move that highlighted the curtailment of democratic values, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has said.
Gandhi, representing Wayanad parliamentary constituency in Kerala, was on Friday disqualified from the Lok Sabha, a day after his conviction in a defamation case by a court in Surat in Gujarat.
The court sentenced Gandhi to two years in jail in a criminal defamation case over his “Modi surname” remarks at a 2019 poll rally in Karnataka. However, the court also granted him bail and suspended the sentence for 30 days to allow him to appeal in a higher court.
Commenting on the development on Friday, the NCP supremo also referred to the disqualification of his party MP from Lakshadweep Mohammed Faizal P P following the latter’s conviction in an attempt to murder case. Faizal’s conviction was later suspended by the Kerala High Court.
“The disqualification of Mr Rahul Gandhi and Mr Faizal a few months ago as MPs of the Lok Sabha are against the basic tenets of the constitution, where democratic values are being curtailed. This is condemnable and against the very principles on which the constitution is based,” Pawar tweeted.
“Our constitution guarantees the right of each Individual to fair justice; liberty of thought; equality of status and opportunity and fraternity assuring the dignity of each Indian. #RahulGandhi,” the former Union minister said in a series of tweets.
We all need to stand together to defend our democratic institutions, he added.

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#Rahul #Gandhis #disqualification #basic #tenets #Constitution #Sharad #Pawar
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 25, 2023
Sharad Pawar backs Rahul, says jail term attempt to suppress opposition

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New Delhi: NCP supremo Sharad Pawar came out in support of Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, saying his conviction in a criminal defamation case was an attempt to “suppress the voice” of opposition leaders.
Pawar also drew parallels between the conviction of Gandhi and NCP leader and former Lok Sabha member from Lakshadweep P P Mohammed Faizal, who was disqualified from the lower house after his conviction in an attempt-to-murder case.
“I express my serious concerns at the attempts to curtail fundamental rights, freedom of speech and democratic expression in the country. The repeated attempts to suppress the voice of political parties, leaders and citizens of India is a matter of grave concern,” Pawar said.
“Today’s judgment of Rahul Gandhi underscores the point. NCP MP P P Mohammed Faizal’s case is also a similar case in point. I deplore this new trend in our political landscape, which should concern everyone in today’s scenario,” the Rajya Sabha member said.
Faizal was disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha within two days of his conviction on January 11.
The disqualification was not revoked even after Faizal appealed to the Kerala High Court for a stay on his conviction and sentence, which the high court suspended on January 25.
On Thursday, a trial court in Gujarat sentenced Gandhi to two years in jail in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his “why all thieves have Modi surname” remark. The Lok Sabha member too faces the risk of disqualification.
The Surat court has granted Gandhi bail and suspended the sentence for 30 days to allow him to appeal in a higher court. The Congress said Gandhi will file an appeal against the verdict.

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#Sharad #Pawar #backs #Rahul #jail #term #attempt #suppress #opposition
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 23, 2023
Sharad Pawar calls Opposition meeting today

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New Delhi: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has called a meeting of leaders of opposition parties on Thursday to discuss the Rural Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).
The meeting will be held at Pawar’s residence on Thursday evening.
In a letter written to all opposition leaders, the NCP chief said that he proposes to convene a meeting of all political parties who have doubts about the efficacy of the Rural Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).
This development comes after the Chief Election Commissioner promised to respond to the doubts raised by some civil society activists and political parties.
Pawar stated that the meeting has been called in the interest of free and fair elections and to listen to the views expressed by eminent IT professionals and cryptographers.
There are some very pertinent questions been raised in the Report by CCE. The report contains views of eminent Information Technology professors, cryptographers and retired government officials.
The civil society submitted a letter to Election Commission of India in May 2022 and another reminder after two weeks (Annexure 3). ECI did even acknowledge their letter. The doubts regarding the possibility of manipulating EVM are being raised even by the common man now, Pawar said.

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#Sharad #Pawar #calls #Opposition #meeting #today
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 23, 2023
It’s insulting to call ‘adivasis’ as ‘vanvasis’: Sharad Pawar targets BJP

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Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that it was insulting to call tribals or ‘adivasis’ as “vanvasis”, and those who use that term show their ignorance.
He was speaking at a function here.
“Some people prefer to call tribals ‘vanvasis’ as in those who live in forests. It will not be an exaggeration if I say that it is an insult to call tribals as ‘vanvasis’. They are ‘adivasi’,” the former Union minister said without naming anyone.
“They are the true owners of ‘jal’, jungle and ‘zameen’ (water, jungle and soil). The people who use such terms (vanvasi) show their ignorance towards adivasis as well as their efforts in preserving the jungles in this country. The credit (of preserving forests) is theirs (tribals’),” he said.
Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan, an organisation headed by Pawar on Sunday started its Tribal Welfare Centre.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been targeting the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that they have been using a “derogatory” term ‘vanvasi’ (forest dweller) to refer to adivasis. During a rally in Madhya Pradesh in November last year, Gandhi had said the BJP should apologise with folded hands for disrespecting tribals by calling them ‘vanvasi’.
“A few days back, I heard a speech of PM Narendra Modi in which he used a new word, ‘vanvasi’, for ‘adivasis’. It means adivasis are not the first owners of the country and that they only live in forests,” the former Congress president had said.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) backs an organisation named Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram that works for the welfare of tribals.

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#insulting #call #adivasis #vanvasis #Sharad #Pawar #targets #BJP
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 12, 2023
Sharad Pawar advises ‘caution’ over breach of privilege move against Sanjay Raut

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Mumbai: A day after the Maharashtra Assembly initiated the process of breach of privilege of the House against Shiv Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut for his purported “Chor Mandali” remarks, Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar on Thursday urged “caution” on the issue.
Giving his sagely advice, Pawar, 82 said that Raut is a senior and respected Member of the Rajya Sabha, the highest legislature of the country, that is the Indian Parliament.
“Hence, before any proposed action against him, the legality and guidelines for taking such action vis-a-vis MPs should be carefully examined. Raut’s statement is essentially a reaction expressed about a particular group and its meaning is clear without any interpretation,” Pawar contended.
After a huge ruckus in the House on Wednesday over Raut’s purported remarks of “chor mandali”, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar accepted a notice by some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members to initiate the breach of privilege process against the Sena-UBT MP.
Talking to the media in Kolhapur, Raut – ostensibly referring to the Shiv Sena of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde – said that “it’s a fake Shiv Sena, a gang of thieves, its not a legislature party but a ‘chor mandali’” and these utterances are now attracting the breach of privilege of the House.
Raising eyebrows at the breach of privilege committee convened for the purpose, the NCP supremo observed that the legislators from the Sena-UBT group, to which Raut belongs, are not included, “which is not correct”.
“Moreover, the committee appointed is expected to be independent and neutral. But, the MLAs who demanded action against Raut have also been included on the committee. This means the complainant is appointed as the judge, then how can justice be expected?” Pawar wondered.
The NCP chief, who is also a Member of Rajya Sabha, made it clear that the legislature in a democracy is the highest representative body of the people and its dignity must be maintained.

Nevertheless, he said that in order to ascertain whether Raut’s statements are about the legislature or on a particular group, the committee should comprise senior and impartial members to consider it collectively.
Delving into a historic example, Pawar recalled how during the tenure of the former Chief Minister Vasantdada Patil, his government was criticised by the (then) Opposition as “Ali Baba-Chaalis Chor” regime, and though such criticism of the law-making body (legislature) is never justifiable, opined that “the matter should be handled calmly”.
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#Sharad #Pawar #advises #caution #breach #privilege #move #Sanjay #Raut
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 2, 2023
No talks in MVA over taking Prakash Ambedkar-led VBA on board: Sharad Pawar

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Kolhapur: Days after Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Prakash Ambedkar’s Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) forged an alliance, NCP leader Sharad Pawar on Saturday said that so far no talks were held among the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) constituents about taking the VBA on board.
Pawar said the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Thackeray-led Sena will contest the upcoming elections together.
He was talking to reporters at Kolhapur in western Maharashtra.
Responding to a query about the Sena (UBT) and VBA’s alliance, the former Union minister said, “No talks were held (in the MVA) regarding Prakash Ambedkar’s VBA ahead of the elections. We do not know what is going on between the two parties…we will not discuss anything over it.”
“Congress, NCP, and Thackeray-led Sena will together contest upcoming elections. We have not held any discussion with Ambedkar,” he said.
The NCP and Thackeray-led Sena are part of the MVA along with the Congress. The three-party alliance was in power from 2019 till the end of June last year. The government led by Thackeray collapsed following a rebellion by his party’s senior leader Eknath Shinde and his supporting MLAs, who joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and came to power.
The BJP has reportedly said that it will seek MVA’s support so that the upcoming by-polls to the Kasba and Chinchwad assembly seats in Pune are held unopposed. Byelections are necessitated as the sitting BJP MLAs from these seats died recently. When asked about it, Pawar said, “I don’t know to whom (state BJP chief) Chandrakant Patil is writing a letter about it. I have no information on that. I don’t know how he didn’t think about unopposed elections during the by-polls in Kolhapur and Pandharpur.”
When asked about the early morning oath-taking ceremony of Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar in November 2019, the NCP president replied, “It’s been two years now. Why are you raking up that topic?”

After the 2019 Assembly poll results, Fadnavis had returned as chief minister with Ajit Pawar as his deputy on November 23 that year. Both were sworn in a hush-hush early morning ceremony, but the government lasted only 80 hours.
On a query about Telangana Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao, Pawar said he is trying to bring together leaders of various parties.
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#talks #MVA #Prakash #Ambedkarled #VBA #board #Sharad #Pawar
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 28, 2023