Sule takes on Fadnavis, speaks out on Pawar’s heir

Attacking Fadnavis government’s performance ahead of civic polls, NCP leader Supriya Sule has called BJP “juvenile” and “immature” for suggesting that her newfound aggressiveness is the result of a proxy war within her party and asserted that her father Sharad Pawar’s political heir “does not require to be a blood relation”.

In an interview to PTI, 47-year-old Sule described Congress as a natural ally of her party but dismissed as “hypothetical” queries on possible merger.

Slamming the performance of BJP-led government, Sule, Lok Sabha member from Baramati, said “the Fadnavis government has failed to deliver on its promises”.

“The Maharashtra government is very good at advertising and the credit goes to the agency which has made beautiful ads but these are far away from reality,” she said.

She charged that the government had “mishandled” most vital issues and situations including the farmers’ plight.

“Remunerative prices given (to farmers) are the lowest ever, teachers are not happy. A morcha by teachers unions was mishandled and they were lathi-charged. Women’s security is a big challenge, admissions have been a fiasco. There is mishandling of various situations,” she said. Sule, who was elected to Rajya Sabha in 2006 and later twice to Lok Sabha, has made concerted efforts to reach out to youth and women in the state in the last two years.

The NCP leader said she has often said she is interested in national politics because she contests the national elections.

“My role is to work for the party, state and the country at the Delhi level... Just because I am an MP, I will not say I will not campaign for the municipal council elections. I will abide by whatever responsibility the party gives me,” she said.

Asked about her father Sharad Pawar’s political heir, she said it is for the people to decide as “public life does not come by genes” and recalled that late YB Chavan, considered as Pawar’s mentor, was not related by family ties.