Sharad Pawar Criticizes PM Modi's Election Plan

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has expressed skepticism regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent call for 'one nation, one election' during his Independence Day address. Modi argued that frequent elections hinder national progress, advocating for simultaneous elections across the country. However, Pawar pointed out the contradiction in Modi's stance, noting that just a day after the address, the Election Commission announced separate poll dates for three different states. In a press conference in Pune, Pawar highlighted the inconsistency in the Prime Minister's message, stating, "The PM talks about one thing while the system takes another decision." This remark came in light of the Election Commission's recent schedule for elections in Haryana and Jammu-Kashmir, which contradicts Modi's push for a unified electoral process. When questioned about the potential timing of Maharashtra Assembly elections, Pawar suggested that inquiries should be directed to the Election Commission. He also criticized the current state government's financial management, particularly regarding the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which he claimed diverts funds from essential scholarships and other pending schemes. Pawar emphasized the need for clarity from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde regarding the financial implications of new initiatives. Additionally, in response to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's comments about stepping back from contesting elections, Sharad Pawar acknowledged the right of individuals to make such decisions but expressed uncertainty about the implications of Ajit Pawar's statement.