Don't chant my name; speak on economy, farmers: Pawar to BJP

NCP president Sharad Pawar on Friday criticised top BJP leaders, including Amit Shah and the prime minister, for repeatedly using his name in campaign speeches in poll-bound Maharashtra and said they must speak about issues related to economy and farmers.

The top issue on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's campaign agenda is 'Sharad Pawar', he said.

Without naming Shah at a poll rally in Uruli Kanchan near here, Pawar reiterated the "jail" jibe, saying those who were "inside" are now running the country's administration, but added he has no complaint as one has his/her rights in democracy.

Pawar said the NCP welcomed scrapping of Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and asked the Centre to also invalidate Article 371 that disallows buying of land in north-eastern states, including Nagaland and Meghalaya.

The former defence minister accused Modi of seeking mileage out of valour shown by security forces during the Balakot air strike, carried out after the Pulwama terror strike in February, during the April-May Lok Sabha polls.

In a veiled attack at Shah, the NCP veteran said, "There is a 'big' person, quite 'big'. Did you get who it is? He has come from Gujarat. He is experienced. He was in a jail in Maharashtra for five-six months."