Supriya to focus on women empowerment,health and education

Mumbai, Sep 5 (UNI) Supriya Sule, daughter of Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said that she would continue to focus on women empowerment, health and education in active politics.

Ms Sule, who filed her nomination for the Rajya Sabha byelection neccessitated due to the death of sitting MP Vasant Chavan, told reporters that her priority was her work,irrespective of whether she had to do it at national level or in the state.

''What matters is how I do it'', she said replying to questions on whether she would concentrate on national or state politics.

''My nomination as a candidate for the byelection has made me feel more responsible. I thank the NCP and the Congress for having faith in me and I assure them that I will not let them down'', she said.

Ms Sule rejected criticism of dynastic politics being encouraged due to her nomination. ''I am a party activist and I have come to work for my party,'' she said and also scotched reports of sibling rivalry with her cousin and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar.

''My brother is right here with me,'' she said pointing out to Ajit who was standing nearby.

To a question on whether she had bagged the nomination just because she was Sharad Pawar's daughter, Ms Sule said she was proud to be in her father's shadow. ''No matter what work I do, I will be referred to as Mr Pawar's daughter because he has a larger than life image'', she said.

Categorically stating that her nomination to the Rajya Sabha would not affect her ongoing social work for educational and health facilities to nomadic tribes in rural Maharashtra, Ms Sule said the base of a politician is social work and she was into social work for many years.

She said she had not expected a Rajya Sabha nomination within few weeks of her joining the party and added that she had never discussed the issue with her father.

To a question on whether Shiv Sena-BJP would support her candidature, Civil Aviation minister Praful Patel said, ''We would welcome them if they support her.'' When asked about her prospects of being elected unopposed, Supriya said, ''Till the election process is over, I am only a candidate.'' She was accompanied by her husband Sadanand, her cousin Shrinivas Pawar who is younger brother of Ajit Pawar and Smriti,eldest daughter of Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, State NCP president Arun Gujrathi, Public Undertaking Minister Anil Deshmukh, Energy Minister Dilip Walse-Patil, PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, state Congress president Prabha Rau and Revenue Minister Narayan Rane were among those present on the occasion.

Ms Sule joined NCP recently and is member of the party's national council.

The last date of filing of nomination is September eight. Scrutiny of papers will take place on September nine, the last date of withdrawal is September 11 and election if neccessary will be held on September 18 between 0900 hrs and 1600 hrs. The 289 member Legislative assembly forms the electoral college of the by-election.

The Congress--NCP enjoy comfortable majority in the Legislative Assembly. NCP has 71, Congress 73 and 19 independents support to Congress-NCP alliance.

NCP had recently suspended Ms Shalinitai Patil from the party and has conveyed to the Legislature secretariat that the strength of the party is 70.

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