The upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Pune on August 1st has sparked intense controversy among the opposition parties. I.N.D.I.A., a coalition of 26 opposition parties, has declared their intention to protest and raise black flags during the event. The cause of this uproar is the planned felicitation of PM Modi with the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award for 2023. It will be honoring his exceptional leadership and patriotism. The contentious aspect of this ceremony is the involvement of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar, who is set to confer the award on PM Modi. This decision has caused a deep division within the opposition alliance. Several leaders are urging Pawar to reconsider.
Opposition Voices Against Pawar’s Decision:
Sharad Pawar’s decision to honor PM Modi has faced strong opposition from other members of the alliance, such as the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes the Shiv Sena and AAP. These leaders have publicly called on Pawar to avoid attending the event. They fear that it may be perceived as an endorsement of PM Modi’s policies and the BJP’s actions, especially in light of the recent split within the NCP.
Mixed Reactions Within The NCP:
While some leaders within the NCP support Pawar’s decision, others have criticized it. Sanjay Raut, the spokesperson for Shiv Sena believes that Pawar attending the function and honoring PM Modi would tarnish his reputation. It will send a wrong message to party workers and supporters. Prakash Ambedkar, a leader of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), has gone as far as calling the decision a “nautanki”. He suggested it was a pre-planned act to support Ajit Pawar’s faction.
Congress’ Prudent Approach:
The Congress party has taken a cautious stance. Some leaders have expressed their disapproval of Pawar’s decision. State chief Nana Patole asserts that it is ultimately Pawar’s prerogative to decide whether to attend the function or not.
Nevertheless, Congress leaders will participate in the delegation meeting Pawar to address their concerns.
Confirmation By Trust Vice-President:
Despite the objections from the opposition, Congress leader Rohit Tilak, who serves as a trustee and vice-president of the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust, has confirmed that Pawar will indeed attend the event. Pawar will present the award to PM Modi. He emphasized that the award ceremony is a non-political platform. It has honored leaders from diverse fields and ideologies in the past.
Potential For An Alliance:
Amid the controversy, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has hinted that PM Modi and Sharad Pawar might explore the possibility of forming an alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024. This statement adds an additional layer of intrigue to an already heated situation.
As PM Modi’s visit to Pune draws near, Sharad Pawar’s decision to confer the Lokmanya Tilak National Award on him has become the center of heated political debate. The move has created significant divisions within the NCP and the broader opposition alliance. Whether this controversy will result in any significant shifts in the political landscape remains to be seen, but it has undeniably captured the nation’s attention.