Nashik: Union Agriculture minister and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar has said the UPA Government, led by Prime minister Manmohan Singh, has done a lot for the uplift of the poor and farmers during its five-year rule and exhorted the people to vote it back to power to continue the growth story.
Addressing a large public meeting at Satna town in the district on Monday evening, Pawar, who was campaigning for NCP Dhule Lok Sabha seat candidate Amrishbhai Patel, said, ''The UPA Government has done a lot of good work for the common man and farmers. Onion has been exported in huge quantities this year and farmers have earned a good price for their yield''.
Due to changes brought about by the Government in the agriculture sector, the country has become self-sufficient in foodgrain production and is able to provide grains to 18 countries. The Government has also purchased 90 per cent cotton from the farmers', he said.
''To continue this growth story and keep away the communal forces, the secular parties have decided to come together again. The UPA-Government, guided by Sonia Gandhi, had been stable and secure, striving for the development of the country,'' Pawar said.
Criticising BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani, Pawar asked why did the BJP not talk about complete loan waiver to farmers during their regime, which they are insisting now. During the NDA regime, the procurement prices of wheat and rice were only Rs 500 per quintal, but their rate now is Rs 1,080 per quintal, bringing better bargain to farmers, he said.
Later, addressing another public meeting at Ghoti town in the district, Pawar said BJP keeps on raising the Ram Mandir issue during elections but why did they not build a Ram Mandir during their regime. ''Ram mandir is nothing but an election issue for them, he said, adding the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance has always worked only for its own benefit and has done nothing for people of the
country.
Pawar also appealed to people to vote for NCP's Nashik Lok Sabha seat candidate Sameer Bhujbal, who, he said, will try to bring about overall development of the region.
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