Sharad Pawar Raises Questions on Modi's Third Term Mandate as PM

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic third consecutive oath-taking ceremony, NCP SP President Sharad Pawar raised questions about the legitimacy of Modi's mandate to lead India. Addressing a gathering in Ahmednagar, approximately 125km from Pune, during the NCP's 25th foundation day celebration, Pawar highlighted that the BJP did not secure a majority in the recent Lok Sabha elections and formed a government with the support of allies like the Telugu Desam Party and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

On June 9, Narendra Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister amidst these circumstances. Pawar, a seasoned politician and former Union minister, critiqued Modi's campaign rhetoric, noting a shift from referring to the government as "Modi Sarkar" to the Government of India post-elections. This change, according to Pawar, signifies a departure from previous norms under Modi's leadership.

The NCP SP leader also criticized Modi for his approach towards various segments of society, including minorities. He accused Modi of deliberately neglecting the inclusive nature of the Prime Minister's role. Pawar's speech also touched upon controversial remarks made by Modi, which he felt were unbecoming of a Prime Minister.

Pawar took a moment to reflect on the political landscape, mentioning Modi's derogatory remarks towards the Shiv Sena UBT and emphasizing the eternal nature of the soul in response to being called a "bhatakti aatma" by Modi. He underscored the importance of maintaining dignity in political discourse.

Looking ahead, Pawar outlined plans for the NCPSP to form new and accomplished teams to win support in upcoming elections in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jharkhand. He stressed on strengthening the party to safeguard the interests of marginalized communities.

The NCP leader also shared insights on the political scenario in Ayodhya, where despite expectations, the BJP candidate faced defeat. This outcome was seen as a reflection of public sentiment against Modi's policies. Additionally, Pawar praised Nilesh Lanke for his victory in Ahmednagar against BJP's Sujay Vikhe Patil, highlighting language diversity in politics.

Pawar assured that all eight newly elected NCP MPs would receive his guidance, drawing an analogy with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's ashtapradhan mandal to describe their role in Parliament. This mentorship aims to bolster the party's presence and effectiveness in legislative processes.