REFLECTING on his political experience of more than six decades, Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar, on Saturday, downplayed many burning issues raised by mediapersons and made futile attempts to justify his stand on those. While answering a volley of questions on subjects ranging from Gautam Adani to Swatantryaveer Savarkar, Pawar was struggling to profer justifications. “I have written several good things about some industrialists, farmers because I feel their growth helped India to grow too. It doesn’t mean I justify their every act.” This way Sharad Pawar diverted the question, ‘Do you stick to whatever good things you wrote about Gautam Adani in your book ‘Lok Maze Sangati’ or you would advice Congress, which is making scathing attack on the industry tycoon, not to spit venom against him?’ Pawar was interacting with mediapersons during ‘Meet the Press’ organised by Patrakar Club of Nagpur. When asked about Rahul Gandhi’s shout against Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Pawar diverted the question by saying ‘Savarkar is not the national issue’.

 

He commented that nobody should forget the contribution made by Savarkar to the country. He also described the scientific approach of Savarkar who had built a temple in front of his home and given it to a person ofWalmiki community to run it. “Savarkar was so practical and he termed cow as an animal which should be given due attention till it has utility value. Once its utility value ends, cow should be given the treatment like we do with other animals,” pointed out Pawar. He clearly said,“Rahul Gandhi can have his own opinion.” Pawar also avoided to answer the question on Arvind Kejariwal, Chief Minister of Delhi, who sought to know the educational qualification of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said,“The matter is in court.”

 

Today, Pawar met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at latter’s residence. A journalist asked Pawar on which issue they had discussion? Pawar smiled and said, “On food, which I had with him.” When a mediaperson asked is it proper that people from abroad commenting on Indian Government and its functioning, Pawar diverted the answer. He said, “If the persons are Indians, then we must give a thought of introducing change in our policies.” Pawar along with Nitin Gadkari decided to open subcentre of Vasantdada Sugar Institute at Nagpur with an aim to resolve agrarian crisis. When asked why such efforts were not taken in the past as he too was Union Agriculture Minister and Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Pawar did not reply. Dilip Walse Patil and Anil Deshmukh, ex-Home Ministers; Rajendra Jain, Ramesh Bang, ex-Minister and others were present.