NCP miffed at Congress treatment in Guj polls

In the Gujarat polls, which saw BJP-led Narendra Modi retaining power, NCP President and Union Agriculture Minister, Sharad Pawar said though his party was alloted nine seats, Congress fielded its candidates in five of them and in the remaining, Congress rebels contested.

"This is not the way to work together. This is the reason why the BJP came to power in Gujarat. One has to work together and there should be honesty and commitment. If such a policy continues, we would give a serious thought about the alliance in the coming Lok Sabha and Assembly polls," he said.

Addressing party workers here yesterday, Pawar said NCP would support any new legislation which recommends harsher punishment for those convicted for atrocities against women.

The Union government was taking steps to ensure that farm lands were not being diverted for non-agricultural purposes, he said, adding, a bill to amend the Land Acquisition Act would be tabled in the next session of Parliament.

The amendment seeks to provide 400 per cent of the market price to farmers for acquiring their lands for industrial projects, job to one member of the family or salary for 20 years once the land is acquired.

The Kerala government should enter the market and procure coconuts so that the farmers would get a better price, he said.