NCP chief Sharad Pawar Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was using religious slogans while campaigning for the Karnataka polls. The Maratha leader also claimed that the Congress will oust the BJP from power in the southern state.
“The voters of Karnataka are upset with the BJP. Across the country, the BJP is on the downslide. In the upcoming elections, the BJP will be able to win only five-seven states. In Karnataka, the Congress will return to power,” Pawar told reporters in Pandharpur.
Pawar said he was surprised that Prime Minister Modi was relying on religion to win the polls. “We have accepted the concept of secularism. While contesting elections, we take an oath in the name of secularism… During the election, taking the name of a religion, raising its issues, and trying to create a different atmosphere is wrong from the nation’s point of view. The prime minister is banking on religion… I am surprised at this,” Pawar added.
Pawar said the BJP was in power in only a few states. “In Delhi, Punjab, Bengal, and Uttarakhand, the BJP is not in power. If we see the country’s map, you will find that the BJP is in power in only a few states…”
The NCP said Pawar will be campaigning for party candidates in the Karnataka elections. The party has fielded nine candidates. Pawar will hold a rally in Nipani Monday.
Pawar also denied that Maha Vikas Aghadi constituents have discussed the issue of chief ministership. “We have not discussed the issue of chief ministership,” he said. Pawar was reacting to Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole’s claim that whichever party in the alliance has more MLAs will get the chief minister’s post.
