Lok Sabha Polls: PM Modi tells Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray to join BJP-led NDA, NCP (SP) leader responds
Lok Sabha Polls: PM Modi tells Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray to join BJP-led NDA, NCP (SP) leader responds
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (May 10) took a swipe at Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar advising the NCP (SP) leader and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief to join hands with Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde after the results of Lok Sabha polls are released instead of "dying by merging" with the Congress.
"A big leader here who is active for 40-50 years is worried after polling in Baramati (Lok Sabha seat). He says that after June 4, smaller parties, in order to survive, will merge with the Congress," PM Modi said in an apparent reference to Pawar without taking his name.
"This means the nakli NCP and nakli Shiv Sena have made up their minds to merge with the Congress," PM Modi said, addressing an election rally in Nandurbar district of north Maharashtra.
"But instead of dying by merging with the Congress, come to Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde," the prime minister exclaimed.
Pawar reacts
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Pawar, reacting to PM Modi's comments said that he will not partner with any person, party or ideology that does not back parliamentary democracy.
"PM Modi's recent speeches have been conducive to creating rifts among communities, which is dangerous for the country. Wherever things are not in the nation's interest, neither I nor my colleagues will venture," he said.
PM Modi's remarks came after the NCP (SP) leader in a recent statement said that factions and regional parties should either come closer or merge with the Congress in the coming years.
"In the next couple of years, several regional parties will associate more closely with the Congress. Or they may look at the option of merging with the Congress if they believe that is the best for their party," NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar had told The Indian Express.
(With inputs from agencies)