New found bonhomie? PM Modi praises Sharad Pawar for joining Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

New Delhi, Nov 15: After NCP chief Sharad Pawar joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan by taking broom in his hands, the PM appreciated the veteran leader for joining his ambitious initiative.

"Appreciable effort by Sharad Pawar ji. His support to Swachh Bharat Mission will help create a Clean India," tweeted PM Modi later in the evening.

On Friday, the NCP chief, who has been a staunch critic of PM Modi and his ideology, extended his support to the BJP beyond Maharashtra legislature, by taking a broom in his hands.

Pawar, accompanied by his family members who included his daughter and MP Supriya Sule, former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar as well as party general secretary DP Tripathi, swept a road in his hometown Baramati in full glare of cameras which seemed to drive home the message of 'Swachh Bharat' of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government.

However, in an effort to stamp NCP's distinct identity in the drive, Pawar had, in a press conference held here a few days back, announced that his party activists would undertake the cleanliness drive in view of the rampant dengue cases in Maharashtra.

"We have started the cleanliness campaign today and photos are taken. But we have to ensure that streets are not littered with garbage tomorrow," he said after launching the campaign in Baramati.

This gesture by the two leaders is signalling towards a new found bonhomie between the NCP and the BJP.

In the near past, during Maharashtra Assembly poll campaigning, the Prime Minister attacked the NCP chief and his nephew Ajit Pawar for promoting dynastic politics. The PM even asked the people of Baramati to break free from slavery of Pawars, during his campaigning.

OneIndia News