Sharad Pawar Targets NDA Government, Warns of Statewide Agitations at NCP’s 27th Foundation Day Event

Mumbai, June 2026 : Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the NDA-led Central government while addressing party workers and leaders on the occasion of the NCP’s 27th Foundation Day. In a speech that touched on issues ranging from political history and leadership to agrarian distress and foreign policy, the veteran leader outlined an aggressive political agenda and warned that his party would not hesitate to take to the streets if public grievances continued to be ignored.

Addressing a large gathering, Pawar reflected on the changing political landscape and strongly opposed attempts by supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to compare his tenure with that of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. While acknowledging that Modi’s long tenure as Prime Minister is a notable achievement, Pawar argued that the historical context and contributions of the two leaders are fundamentally different.

He recalled Nehru’s role in India’s freedom struggle, noting that he spent several years in prison under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi before becoming the country’s first elected Prime Minister. According to Pawar, Nehru’s sacrifices and contribution to nation-building cannot be measured merely by the number of days spent in office.

At the same time, Pawar stressed that the office of the Prime Minister deserves respect irrespective of political differences. He said that while opposition parties would continue to challenge government policies and decisions, they would never undermine the dignity of the constitutional post.

The NCP-SP chief also took a lighter tone while referring to the large-scale advertisements released by the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction to mark the Foundation Day celebrations. He remarked humorously that during his years of leadership he had never taken such an expensive route to celebrate party events. Nevertheless, he expressed satisfaction over the enthusiasm shown by party workers and thanked them for standing by the organisation regardless of whether it was in power or opposition.

Pawar then turned his attention to recent political controversies, strongly criticising Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan over remarks made during a Sikh community event in Punjab regarding Operation Blue Star. Calling the comments inappropriate and irresponsible, he said that political leaders must avoid distorting historical events for short-term political gains.

According to Pawar, statements that create divisions or attempt to assign collective blame for past tragedies can damage national unity and social harmony. Referring to the turbulent period of militancy in Punjab, he said the country had witnessed painful episodes, including the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and former Army Chief General Arun Vaidya. He urged political leaders to learn from history rather than misuse it.

The veteran leader also defended the legacy of the Nehru-Gandhi family, highlighting the sacrifices made by former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, both of whom lost their lives while serving the nation. He credited Indira Gandhi with enhancing India’s global stature and pointed to the events that led to the creation of Bangladesh as a significant chapter in India’s history.

A major portion of Pawar’s address focused on the condition of farmers in Maharashtra. He painted a grim picture of rural distress and accused both the state and Central governments of failing to adequately address the concerns of the agricultural community. He claimed that farmers in several parts of the state were struggling to obtain fertilisers and were being forced to spend nights outside shops due to shortages and long queues.

Expressing concern over reports of increasing farmer suicides, Pawar said the situation reflected a lack of sensitivity towards the farming community. He issued what he described as an eight to ten-day ultimatum to the state administration, demanding immediate action on issues affecting farmers and other vulnerable sections of society.

He announced that senior NCP leaders would soon meet to formulate a strategy and warned that if the government failed to respond positively, the party would launch statewide agitations. “We will not remain silent. If our demands are ignored, we will intensify our struggle and take the fight to the streets,” he declared.

Pawar also voiced concerns about India’s evolving foreign policy stance, particularly in the context of recent developments involving Iran. He observed that India had traditionally maintained an independent foreign policy and often stood with countries facing injustice during international conflicts. He suggested that this approach appeared to be weakening and urged the government to preserve India’s long-standing diplomatic principles.

Concluding his speech, Pawar called upon party workers to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level and work actively among the people. He said the NCP’s future would depend not on rhetoric but on sustained public engagement and hard work. Reaffirming the party’s commitment to public causes, he declared that the NCP would continue to raise issues affecting ordinary citizens and remain a vocal force in the political landscape.