Sharad Pawar responds to Modi’s barbs in Baramati, sticks to ‘ignoring national security’ line

MUMBAI: Former defence minister and NCP president Sharad Pawar on Thursday reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was campaigning for assembly elections in the state at a juncture when his presence was required in New Delhi in the wake of exchanges on the India-Pakistan border. "Prima facie, it appears that he has ignored national security as he is busy campaigning. He appears busy in politics," Pawar said.

Reacting to the question posed by Modi in Baramati, Pawar's hometown, about what he had done as defence minister, Pawar said that as defence minister, he was available in New Delhi for consultation. "When I was defence minister, neither China nor Pakistan attacked India. National security was my top priority," Pawar said.

Pawar said that as chief minister of Maharashtra or as a politician, he concentrated on the development not only of Baramati but the entire state, because of which Maharashtra is still ahead of Gujarat. Modi had said that Pawar had created confusion on the issue of quota for the Dhangar community. On this, Pawar said, "I was surprised over Modi's statement. Following a lead taken by me, seven to eight meetings have been held so far to resolve the row over reservation for the Dhangar community. Modi is misleading people."

On the issue of water supply to Baramati raised by Modi, Pawar said all the water supply schemes for 40 villages in his hometown are at different stages of completion and will be completed in a timebound way. "Modi should worry about the drinking water problem in Kutch and other drought-prone areas of Gujarat. I have the entire list of villages in Gujarat, and if the need arises, I will release that list," Pawar said.

http://ift.tt/1mnDau8 Pawar,Narendra Modi

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