MUMBAI: In a counter to Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh Narayan Singh, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, too, announced a day-long fast on Tuesday in support of the eight suspended MPs.
Criticising the conduct of Harivansh, the NCP veteran said he had lowered the dignity of the Chair by not listening to the voice of the Opposition and passing the farm Bills hurriedly. Pawar said he was happy that the protesting MPs had refused tea offered by the person who had throttled their right to ask questions and seek division of votes. “I have never seen such blatant misuse of power and violation of law by treasury benches,” he said.
Questioning the ‘double standards’ of the Centre, the NCP chief said the government claims the new farm Bills have been brought for the welfare of the farmers. “If it is so, then why have they imposed a ban on the export of onions and grapes from Nasik?”
‘Probe agencies love us’
In his sardonic riposte to an Income Tax notice to him, Pawar said the probe agencies “have a special love” for him, his daughter Supriya Sule, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and his son and minister Aaditya Thackeray.
The IT notice to the Maratha strongman was linked to his poll affidavits submitted to the Election Commission for the 2009, 2014 and 2019 elections. Pawar said the I-T Department wanted some clarification and explanations on his poll affidavits.
“I will reply soon because if I do not reply, the notice mentions a fine of 110,000 per day. We are checking the legal issue,” he said. Pawar accused the Centre of pursuing an agenda of targeting political opponents by issuing such notices.