more-in Pune: In a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday that the development of a single state cannot be at the expense of the country’s welfare. “When one is at the helm of the country, one must give equal attention to all States. The PM only showcases Ahmedabad and Gujarat to visitors. This has become a matter of some joke.” The Maratha strongman was responding to questions posed by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray in a ‘public interview’ held at the BMCC college grounds. Mr. Pawar said before he was elected Prime Minister, Mr. Modi, who was concerned with Gujarat’s progress, would make personal attacks against former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. “The fact that Dr. Singh, who is highly educated, was subjected to Mr. Modi’s sharp attacks, upset Congress leaders. I was often called upon to mediate during such occasions.” He said the people of Gujarat are not to be blamed for their State’s development taking priority over the rest of the country’s. He said respect for other’s opinions, a practice prevalent during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure as PM, is fast eroding in politics today. Mr. Pawar said despite breathing fire at political forums, the late Bal Thackeray never let politics come in the way of maintaining cordial personal relationships. “Respect for opponents and senior leaders in one’s party is not in evidence in today’s political scenario.” Mr. Pawar insisted that his roots remain in Congress ideology, despite differences with the party. “My career began with the Congress, and I am a firm believer in Gandhi-Nehruvian ideology.” Mr. Pawar left the Congress in 1999 to form the NCP. Mr. Thackeray quizzed him on a wide range of topics, from thoughts on politics and his reaction on taking charge of the State after the Babri Masjid demolition, to a solution for farmer suicides.

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