Sharad Pawar’s appeals people to raise voice against poll irregularities

Pune: The State Assembly poll results not only shocked the opposition but also some of ruling parties’ leaders. Some opposition parties are merely criticising the outcome but social worker, nonagenarian Dr Baba Adhav launched a hunger strike over the issue to mark the death anniversary of social reformer Mahatma Jotiba Phule.

Stalwart leaders have taken note of 95-year-old Dr Adhav’s agitation. On Saturday morning, NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar met Dr Baba Adhav at the Mahatma Phule Wada and listened to his views. Following his meeting with Dr Adhav, Pawar addressed a press meet and appealed to people to agitate over the alleged malpractices in elections.

Pawar said, “People are restive across Maharashtra after the State Assembly poll results. Dr Baba Adhav decided to go on a hunger strike after witnessing irregularities in the recent polls. Misuse of power and illegal use of money in the elections was never seen before. Such incidents are common in local elections. But this scenario was never witnessed in the State polls before. Therefore, people are disturbed.”

‘I made a mistake by trusting the Election Commission’

When asked to comment on the alleged tampering of EVMs, Sharad Pawar said, “Some experts made a presentation on how the EVM can be manipulated. It was our shortcoming that we did not trust them. But what happened in the State elections was an extreme example. We never doubted the ECI before. But after the State poll results, there appears to be substance behind the allegations.”

Pawar said that he doubted whether anything could be achieved by 22 candidates, who applied for recounting of votes with the ECI.

He said, “We will have to go back to people to raise our voice against the irregularities in the recent elections. People are aware. We will have to prepare them for a big fight. The agitation launched by Dr Baba Adhav will have a positive effect sooner or later.”

‘Parliamentary democracy will be destroyed’

Pawar said, “Common people are finding solace in Dr Baba Adhav’s hunger strike. He has taken this stance as his national duty. But it does not suffice that he alone takes a stance. People will have to rise against injustice, failing which the parliamentary democracy in our country will be destroyed. Those at the helm are not bothered. When we try to raise the issue in Parliament, we are not allowed to speak. The Leader of Opposition stands up to speak at 11 am daily but he is not allowed to speak. Not even a single issue was discussed in the past six days in Parliament.”