No comparison between Nehru and PM Modi: Sharad Pawar hits back at BJP
With the Modi government completing 12 years at the Centre, Sharad Pawar used the NCP's foundation day event to draw a sharp distinction between Narendra Modi's tenure and Jawaharlal Nehru's role in India's freedom struggle.
As the NDA government marked 12 years in power on Wednesday, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar launched a spirited defence of Jawaharlal Nehru and the Nehru-Gandhi family, rejecting comparisons between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's first Prime Minister while accusing BJP leaders of attempting to diminish the Congress family's contribution to the nation.
Speaking at the 27th foundation day of his party in Mumbai, Pawar said Nehru's role in India's freedom struggle and nation-building was unparalleled and could not be equated with any contemporary political leader.
Speaking at the 27th foundation day of his party in Mumbai, Pawar said Nehru's contribution to India's freedom struggle and nation-building placed him in a category of his own.
"Nehru's contribution to nation building and the freedom struggle cannot be forgotten and has to be respected," Pawar told party workers.
"He cannot be compared with anyone else. Nehru spent several years in jail during the freedom struggle under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi."
NEHRU-MODI COMPARISON AMID 12-YEAR MILESTONE
Pawar's remarks came on a day NDA leaders gathered in Delhi to celebrate 12 years of the Modi government.
Referring to Prime Minister Modi becoming India's longest-serving Prime Minister, Pawar said efforts were being made to portray him as a leader without parallel.
"PM Modi has become the longest-serving PM and a picture is being painted that there is no leader of his stature," Pawar said.
"It's good. In a parliamentary democracy, prime minister is a constitutional post and we have to respect it. But Nehru is Nehru and Indians cannot forget his sacrifices."
"Nehru's contribution to nation building and freedom struggle cannot be forgotten and has to be respected. He cannot be compared with anyone else. Nehru spent several years in jail during the freedom struggle under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi."
ATTACK ON BJP OVER GANDHI FAMILY REMARKS
Pawar also took aim at Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Girish Mahajan over his recent comments on former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
Mahajan had triggered a political controversy by calling Operation Blue Star a "black day" and comparing the 1984 military action at the Golden Temple to an invasion by Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali.
He had also accused the Congress leadership of committing atrocities against Sikhs.
Calling the remarks unacceptable, Pawar said the sacrifices made by the Nehru-Gandhi family for the country could not be ignored.
"Such a statement is unacceptable. Operation Blue Star was a sacrifice by Indira Gandhi," he said.
"Sikhs have worked for the country's security on the borders and food security. Some people took a different path. Some things happened and cannot be forgotten. Indira Gandhi never compromised on the country's prestige and security."
Pawar also reminded the audience that both Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi lost their lives while serving the nation.
MOSCOW ANECDOTE
Seeking to illustrate Indira Gandhi's commitment to India's image abroad, Pawar recounted an incident from her visit to Moscow.
According to Pawar, Soviet leaders failed to receive her at the airport in keeping with diplomatic protocol.
Instead of immediately meeting them, she chose to spend time at the residence of India's ambassador to the Soviet Union, I K Gujral.
Pawar said Indira Gandhi made it clear she had travelled not merely as a political leader but as the representative of "40 crore Indians", and would not accept any slight to India's dignity.
He argued that such episodes reflected her fierce commitment to the country's prestige on the global stage.
CONCERNS OVER NATIONAL ISSUES
Beyond the historical debate, Pawar also criticised the government over current issues facing the country.
He said those in power appeared disconnected from the concerns of farmers, educated unemployed youth and women.
"The country is grappling with several issues," he said, adding that India's foreign policy was also "not up to the mark".
NCP'S FOUNDING DAY
The remarks came as the NCP (SP) marked its 27th foundation day amid continuing rivalry with the ruling NCP faction.
Pawar founded the Nationalist Congress Party in 1999. The party split in July 2023 after his nephew Ajit Pawar rebelled and joined the Mahayuti government along with a large group of MLAs.
The party name and symbol were subsequently awarded to the ruling faction.
Referring to prominent newspaper advertisements published by the Sunetra Pawar-led NCP faction, Pawar made a veiled dig at his rivals.
"It was for the first time that the party published advertisements in newspapers. You all know what is the cost of such ads. Good that these ads have come now," he said.
While the NCP (SP) celebrated its foundation day on Wednesday, the ruling NCP faction is scheduled to hold its celebrations on Thursday.
As the NDA government marked 12 years in power on Wednesday, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar launched a spirited defence of Jawaharlal Nehru and the Nehru-Gandhi family, rejecting comparisons between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's first Prime Minister while accusing BJP leaders of attempting to diminish the Congress family's contribution to the nation.
Speaking at the 27th foundation day of his party in Mumbai, Pawar said Nehru's role in India's freedom struggle and nation-building was unparalleled and could not be equated with any contemporary political leader.
Speaking at the 27th foundation day of his party in Mumbai, Pawar said Nehru's contribution to India's freedom struggle and nation-building placed him in a category of his own.
"Nehru's contribution to nation building and the freedom struggle cannot be forgotten and has to be respected," Pawar told party workers.
"He cannot be compared with anyone else. Nehru spent several years in jail during the freedom struggle under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi."
NEHRU-MODI COMPARISON AMID 12-YEAR MILESTONE
Pawar's remarks came on a day NDA leaders gathered in Delhi to celebrate 12 years of the Modi government.
Referring to Prime Minister Modi becoming India's longest-serving Prime Minister, Pawar said efforts were being made to portray him as a leader without parallel.
"PM Modi has become the longest-serving PM and a picture is being painted that there is no leader of his stature," Pawar said.
"It's good. In a parliamentary democracy, prime minister is a constitutional post and we have to respect it. But Nehru is Nehru and Indians cannot forget his sacrifices."
"Nehru's contribution to nation building and freedom struggle cannot be forgotten and has to be respected. He cannot be compared with anyone else. Nehru spent several years in jail during the freedom struggle under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi."
ATTACK ON BJP OVER GANDHI FAMILY REMARKS
Pawar also took aim at Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Girish Mahajan over his recent comments on former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
Mahajan had triggered a political controversy by calling Operation Blue Star a "black day" and comparing the 1984 military action at the Golden Temple to an invasion by Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali.
He had also accused the Congress leadership of committing atrocities against Sikhs.
Calling the remarks unacceptable, Pawar said the sacrifices made by the Nehru-Gandhi family for the country could not be ignored.
"Such a statement is unacceptable. Operation Blue Star was a sacrifice by Indira Gandhi," he said.
"Sikhs have worked for the country's security on the borders and food security. Some people took a different path. Some things happened and cannot be forgotten. Indira Gandhi never compromised on the country's prestige and security."
Pawar also reminded the audience that both Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi lost their lives while serving the nation.
MOSCOW ANECDOTE
Seeking to illustrate Indira Gandhi's commitment to India's image abroad, Pawar recounted an incident from her visit to Moscow.
According to Pawar, Soviet leaders failed to receive her at the airport in keeping with diplomatic protocol.
Instead of immediately meeting them, she chose to spend time at the residence of India's ambassador to the Soviet Union, I K Gujral.
Pawar said Indira Gandhi made it clear she had travelled not merely as a political leader but as the representative of "40 crore Indians", and would not accept any slight to India's dignity.
He argued that such episodes reflected her fierce commitment to the country's prestige on the global stage.
CONCERNS OVER NATIONAL ISSUES
Beyond the historical debate, Pawar also criticised the government over current issues facing the country.
He said those in power appeared disconnected from the concerns of farmers, educated unemployed youth and women.
"The country is grappling with several issues," he said, adding that India's foreign policy was also "not up to the mark".
NCP'S FOUNDING DAY
The remarks came as the NCP (SP) marked its 27th foundation day amid continuing rivalry with the ruling NCP faction.
Pawar founded the Nationalist Congress Party in 1999. The party split in July 2023 after his nephew Ajit Pawar rebelled and joined the Mahayuti government along with a large group of MLAs.
The party name and symbol were subsequently awarded to the ruling faction.
Referring to prominent newspaper advertisements published by the Sunetra Pawar-led NCP faction, Pawar made a veiled dig at his rivals.
"It was for the first time that the party published advertisements in newspapers. You all know what is the cost of such ads. Good that these ads have come now," he said.
While the NCP (SP) celebrated its foundation day on Wednesday, the ruling NCP faction is scheduled to hold its celebrations on Thursday.
