Sharad Pawar winks at the BJP's 'Twitter-bomb': 'I welcome Opposition criticism'

Sharad Pawar, the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), claimed on Friday that he "enjoys" the opposition's criticism, a day after BJP Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis attacked him with 14 caustic tweets. "Those (14) tweets were entertaining to read. I've been accused of caste politics and appeasing minorities. The policies of the NCP are not founded on such considerations. I don't consider criticism to be very important "Pawar remarked this with a sly gleam in his eyes, indicating that he was unconcerned about the Opposition's constant assaults.

 

Pawar, who was greeted like a hero here on Friday morning, said he was more concerned about the state's unity, which he felt was in jeopardy, than the Opposition's insults at him. "Maharashtra has a long history of peacefully resolving political conflicts. There are concerns today that social harmony and unity are in jeopardy "Pawar made a point. He emphasized that no matter what occurs, Maharashtra's unity must be preserved, and perfect harmony between all religions, castes, and languages must be achieved.

 

The 81-year-old NCP supremo made his remarks three days after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena head Raj Thackeray sought a ban on loudspeakers in mosques by May 3 or he would respond by blasting Hanuman Chalisa. Pawar stated it was in the interest of society to guarantee that Hindus and Muslims were not separated during Fadnavis' charges of a '13th bomb' during the Mumbai serial blasts on March 12, 1993.

 

He described how, after inspecting the bomb locations, it was discovered that the explosives used were from Pakistan, with foreign elements involved, and how the 'Justice B.N. Srikrishna Commission' praised his speech for preventing the escalation of communal violence in Mumbai. "Those who do not comprehend the ramifications of such matters, on the other hand, resort to such comments. As a result, there's no need to keep track of it "On Fadnavis' serial-tweets raking up the 3-decades-old topic, Pawar stated dismissively.

 

 

Image Courtesy: Twitter @PawarSpeaks