NCP(SP) President Sharad Pawar Criticizes ‘Election-Oriented’ Maharashtra Budget
Mumbai, 29th June 2024: On Saturday, NCP(SP) President Sharad Pawar raised allegations that the Maharashtra Budget 2024-2025, presented by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in the legislature on June 28, was leaked in advance, suggesting that the proposals were strategically timed with an eye on the upcoming Assembly elections. Speaking to the media, Sharad Pawar highlighted that media reports had circulated a day before the budget presentation, outlining anticipated schemes, benefits, and projects expected from the ruling Mahayuti alliance government.
“The budget’s secrecy was compromised when details such as free education for girls, a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 for impoverished women, a Rs 20,000 allocation per procession for the annual Pandharpur pilgrimage, and other specifics became public knowledge before being formally tabled,” remarked Sharad Pawar.
Critiquing the flood of incentives and grand proposals put forth by his nephew and NCP chief Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar sarcastically questioned the feasibility of executing such plans, suggesting they exceed available resources. He dismissed the significance of the schemes announced by the Mahayuti government as lacking practicality.
Labeling the state budget as ‘election-oriented,’ Sharad Pawar expressed skepticism regarding proposals like the waiver of electricity bills for farmers, raising concerns about the financial stability of power companies and the sustainability of such measures without compensating their losses.
“While there is an attempt to portray the budget positively, there are numerous impractical aspects that are unlikely to materialize,” cautioned Sharad Pawar, echoing sentiments expressed by leaders from the Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP(SP) on Friday.
Addressing queries about the Opposition’s choice for Chief Ministerial candidate, Sharad Pawar quipped that the united MVA itself would collectively represent the face in the upcoming October Assembly elections. He confidently predicted a sweeping victory for the Opposition akin to their success in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, where the MVA-INDIA bloc secured 31 out of 48 seats in the state despite intensive campaigning by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sharad Pawar commenced a two-day visit to drought-affected regions in Kolhapur and surrounding areas, accompanied by local leaders and representatives of farmers.
