Farmers crisis: Sharad Pawar meets PM Modi amid Maharashtra deadlock

New Delhi, Nov 20: Amid Maharashtra power tussle, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday to discuss farmers' issues.

In a letter to the prime minister, Pawar apprised him of the problems of crop damage faced by farmers due to severe rainfall.

"I have collected data on crop damage from two districts, but damage because of excessive rains extends to rest of Maharashtra,including Marathwada and Vidarbha. I am collecting details and info regarding the same, which should be sent to you at the earliest," read his letter to the PM.

"Due to the prevalence of Presidential Rule in the state, your urgent intervention is highly necessitated. I shall be grateful, if you take immediate steps to initiate massive relief measures and ameliorate the miseries of the distressed farmers," it added.

The meeting is significant as Sharad Pawar's NCP is seen as a key player for an alliance that can take power in Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, the Congress and the NCP would hold another round of talks on the formation of a government in Maharashtra.

There have been several rounds of talks between the Congress and NCP, but they have remained inconclusive.

Interestingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the 250th session of Rajya Sabha had praised the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) for strictly "adhering to parliamentary norms."

"Today I want to appreciate two parties, NCP and BJD. These parties have strictly adhered to parliamentary norms. They have never gone into the well. Yet, they have raised their points very effectively. Other parties including mine can learn from them," he said.

The state is currently under President's rule after no party has been able to form the government for the want of numbers.