No comparison between Nehru and PM Modi: Sharad Pawar hits back at BJP
As the NDA government marked 12 years in power on Wednesday, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar launched a spirited defence of Jawaharlal Nehru and the
As the NDA government marked 12 years in power on Wednesday, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar launched a spirited defence of Jawaharlal Nehru and the Nehru-Gandhi family, rejecting comparisons between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's first Prime Minister while accusing BJP leaders of attempting to diminish the Congress family's contribution to the nation. Speaking at the 27th foundation day of his party in Mumbai, Pawar said Nehru's role in India's freedom struggle and nation-building was unparalleled and could not be equated with any contemporary political leader. Read Full Story Speaking at the 27th foundation day of his party in Mumbai, Pawar said Nehru's contribution to India's freedom struggle and nation-building placed him in a category of his own. "Nehru's contribution to nation building and the freedom struggle cannot be forgotten and has to be respected," Pawar told party workers. "He cannot be compared with anyone else. Nehru spent several years in jail during the freedom struggle under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi." NEHRU-MODI COMPARISON AMID 12-YEAR MILESTONE Pawar's remarks came on a day NDA leaders gathered in Delhi to celebrate 12 years of the Modi government. Referring to Prime Minister Modi becoming India's longest-serving Prime Minister, Pawar said efforts were being made to portray him as a leader without parallel.
"PM Modi has become the longest-serving PM and a picture is being painted that there is no leader of his stature," Pawar said. "It's good. In a parliamentary democracy, prime minister is a constitutional post and we have to respect it. But Nehru is Nehru and Indians cannot forget his sacrifices." "Nehru's contribution to nation building and freedom struggle cannot be forgotten and has to be respected. He cannot be compared with anyone else. Nehru spent several years in jail during the freedom struggle under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi." ATTACK ON BJP OVER GANDHI FAMILY REMARKS Pawar also took aim at Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Girish Mahajan over his recent comments on former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Mahajan had triggered a political controversy by calling Operation Blue Star a "black day" and comparing the 1984 military action at the Golden Temple to an invasion by Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali. He had also accused the Congress leadership of committing atrocities against Sikhs. Calling the remarks unacceptable, Pawar said the sacrifices made by the Nehru-Gandhi family for the country could not be ignored. "Such a statement is unacceptable. Operation Blue Star was a sacrifice by Indira Gandhi," he said.
The BriefWire