Sharad Pawar

The NCP, which shares power in Maharashtra with the Shiv Sena and Congress, had earlier said it will face the onslaught of central agencies on its leaders and workers will full vigour.

Describing the violence as an "attack on farmers", Sharad Pawar, a former Union Agriculture Minister, said its responsibility lies with the BJP governments at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh and the "people will show them their place."

The two leaders from rival parties shared the dais at a function at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra.

Sharad Pawar is considered the architect and anchor of the MVA government which came to power after the 2019 Assembly elections following a fallout between Sena and BJP, who had shared power from 2014 to 2019.

An NCP office-bearer said that Pawar reached Thackeray's official bungalow "Varsha" around 12.45 pm.

The veteran politician said the "perspective" of the top bank towards cooperative banks is "not at all appropriate".

Pawar added that as the agriculture minister, he had ensured that if farmers get good prices for their produce, they would not only fulfil the country's needs, but also go for export, and it has been proven by farmers.

The Union government is also ignoring the farmers who have been protesting against the new farm laws for over a year, the former agriculture minister said.

"The current scenario in India appears very gloomy. Farmers are protesting for many months, it’s an anguishing picture for a democratic country like India. The nation is facing many issues like inflation, economic slowdown, Covid mitigation, unemployment, border disputes, issue of the minority communities etc,” NCP chief tweeted.

Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and former National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ally Shiromani Akali Dal have not been invited for the meeting.

Pawar further said a probe was needed into the allegations that 'outsiders' entered the House when it was in session.

Mamata Banerjee arrived in Delhi on Monday on her first visit to the national capital since assuming office as the West Bengal CM for a third term and is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind.

The state government has demanded that the Centre intervene and take steps to relax the 50 percent limit for reservations to restore political quota for OBCs in local bodies and in jobs and education for the Marathas.

Prashant Kishor, who has fuelled speculations with his meeting with senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, had managed the TMC's election campaign in Bengal.

Speculations are rife that Prashant Kishor is helping build a larger opposition front to take on the BJP in the next cycle of assembly elections and later in the 2024 general elections.

According to the sources, Pawar feels election result for someone contesting against the candidate of a party which has overwhelming numbers in Parliament will be a foregone conclusion.

Prashant Kishor had earlier met Punjab CM Amarinder Singh on the impending changes in the Punjab Congress. There was no official word on what was discussed at the meeting with Kishor that lasted almost over 90 minutes.

The NCP leader, whose party is a key constituent in the Shiv Sena-led MVA government, had called on Thackeray here two days ago amid speculation in political circles about differences among the ruling coalition partners.

"If the agricultural growth and progress is evident, the economic situation will automatically improve. Such universities are essential to uplift and strengthen the core of the Indian economic status. New innovations and technological advancements in agriculture through research in such universities will massively help the sector," Sharad Pawar said.

According to sources, the closed-door discussions between Kishor and Pawar, held at the latter's residence in Delhi, lasted for about an hour.