Home Minister Amit Shah took a sharp dig at NCP supremo and former Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Friday, emphasizing that mere marketing is insufficient for leadership, and substantial groundwork is necessary. Shah made the remarks while addressing a cooperative conference, spotlighting the BJP-led government’s achievements in revitalizing the cooperative sector.
“Pawar Saheb, you served as Agriculture Minister for a decade. What did you do for Maharashtra’s sugar factories and cooperative movement? Farmers deserve an account of your work,” Shah questioned pointedly during his speech.
He highlighted the BJP-led government’s contributions to the cooperative sector, including slashing taxes worth ₹46,000 crore for Maharashtra’s cooperative sugar factories, providing loans to sugar mills, and boosting revenue through ethanol-blending initiatives. Additionally, Shah underlined the large-scale computerization of primary agricultural cooperative societies as a major step forward.
Clarifying his intent, Shah stated, “I haven’t come here for political discussions, but Sharad Pawar owes an explanation for his decade-long ministership.” He added, “Leadership isn’t about marketing; it requires solid work on the ground.”
The Home Minister praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives in agriculture, particularly the soil testing program, which has transformed farming practices by moving beyond traditional methods. He urged farmers to utilize facilities like the state-of-the-art soil testing laboratory inaugurated in Malegaon, stressing the benefits of organic farming and assuring central assistance for its promotion.
Shah also recalled the slogans introduced by leaders like Lal Bahadur Shastri and Narendra Modi, stating, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, and Jai Vigyan reflect the importance of science in advancing cooperative farming.”
In a veiled reference to Pawar’s political past, Shah remarked on the recent MahaYuti victory in Maharashtra, stating that it marked the end of “politics of betrayal” associated with Pawar since his 1978 rebellion.
Responding to Shah’s criticism, Sharad Pawar defended his legacy and indirectly rebuked the Home Minister, emphasizing the dignity of the position. “No Home Minister before has faced such controversies or been deported from their home state,” Pawar said, referring to the historical stature of former home ministers.
