Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar has faced criticism from the Centre-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after his latest comment on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Addressing party workers on Sunday, Pawar said India has always supported the cause of Palestine.
“The NCP leader, who has been fighting an intra-party insurgency led by his cousin Ajit Pawar, alleged that Israel was an outsider ‘invading’ the land of Palestine. He said that former prime ministers – such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee – had supported the Palestinian cause.
Pawar, a former defense minister, had stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statements on the Hamas-Israel war seemed to convey a different view than that of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
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Reacting to Pawar’s comment, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the veteran political leader should strongly condemn terrorism and shun vote bank politics while speaking on the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
“My request to Sharad Pawar ji is not to think about vote bank politics but strongly condemn terrorism. “India has never changed its position on the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. At the same time, however, India has consistently been against terrorism in any form and against anyone, and has always strongly opposed it. While the entire world has condemned the killing of innocent people in Israel and India has done the same, Shri Sharad Pawar ji should also speak against terrorism in the same language,” he said. Fadnavis also invoked past terror attacks in Mumbai,” Fadnavis wrote. the X platform.
Also read: ‘Rotten mentality’: Piyush Goyal slams Sharad Pawar for ‘ridiculous’ comments on Israel-Hamas clash
Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari also condemned Pawar’s statement. “I deeply regret Sharad Pawar Ji’s irresponsible statement questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s unequivocal condemnation of the recent terror attack in Israel. India has consistently opposed all forms of terrorism, both domestic and international. The condemnation of the terrorist attack in Israel is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to global peace and security,” Nitin Gadkari said in a post on X.
He further said, “It is imperative for senior politicians like Sharad Pawar Ji to understand that the interests of the nation and national security should never be marred by political considerations. National security is of paramount importance, and there must be unity and consensus when this happens.” is about protecting the well-being of our nation. The gravity of the situation requires a united front against terrorism, regardless of political affiliations or personal opinions.”
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also slammed Pawar for his statement on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in which he said “this rotten mentality must stop”.
He further said that the menace of terrorism must be condemned in all forms.
“It is very disturbing when a senior leader like Sharad Pawar makes ridiculous statements about India’s position on a terror attack in Israel. The threat of terrorism must be condemned in all forms and in every part of the world. It is unfortunate that a person who has served as both Defense Minister and Prime Minister of India has such a nonchalant view on issues related to terror. This rotten mentality has to stop. I hope Pawar ji now at least thinks of the nation first,” Piyush Goyal said in a post on
