Pawar’s Pakistan comment distorted by Modi says NCP
Aurangabad, Sep 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have ascertained his statement about Pakistan before criticising him, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said here.
Modi, at a rally in Nashik ahead of Maharashtra assembly elections on Thursday, had claimed that Pawar, at a recent event, said he liked Pakistan.
The
NCP
denied
the
charge,
accusing
the
Prime
Minister
of
distorting
Pawar's
statement.
"The
Prime
Minister
said
I
have
a
love
for
our
neighbouring
country...I
have
been
defence
minister
of
this
country.
The
Prime
minister
should
have
verified
my
statement
before
criticizing
me," Pawar
said.
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The NCP chief was addressing a meeting of party workers here.
"I had said that political and military leaders of Pakistan keep making false statements against India to maintain their clout in Pakistani politics. These words do not describe any love for Pakistan," Pawar said.
"I will not criticise Modi further because I do not want to hurt the dignity of prime minister's office," the NCP chief added.
On Thursday, alleging that Congress leaders' comments were being used by other countries and terror outfits against India, Modi said, "I can understand the confusion of the Congress. But Sharad Pawar? I feel bad when an experienced leader like him makes wrong statements for votes.
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"He said he likes the neighbouring country. But everyone knows where the terror factory is," the PM had said.
The NCP later released video of Pawar's original remarks, where he had said that political and military establishment of Pakistan spreads hatred against India, but when he visited that country during Indian cricket team's Pakistan tour, he saw people's love for India.