Farmers' income didn't double by 2024, those in power don't care about them: Sharad Pawar
Pune (PTI): People in power do not care about the farmers in the country, said NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday, claiming that the Centre has failed to keep its promise of doubling their income by 2024.
The veteran politician was addressing a farmers' rally at Indapur in Maharashtra's Pune district in the presence of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders like Sanjay Raut, Balasaheb Thorat and Supriya Sule.
MVA comprises the Congress, NCP (SP) and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and is a part of the opposition INDIA bloc.
"The situation now is different in the country. The upcoming (Lok Sabha) elections are very important. The prime minister had once assured that farmers' income would be doubled by 2024, but that has not happened," said Pawar.
Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, which elects 48 MPs, will be held in five phases between April 19 and May 20.
The 83-year-old NCP leader said the country's farmers have demanded relief over onions. "But those in power do not care about the farmers," he said at the rally in Indapur, which is a part of the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency.
Pawar's daughter and three-term MP Supriya Sule will be contesting from Baramati.
The former Union agriculture minister said Sena (UBT) leader Raut was put behind bars after he spoke against the government, referring to the Rajya Sabha MP's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged money laundering case in 2022.
"Despite his hard work, Arvind Kejriwal has been sent to jail. In the last Delhi elections, the BJP won only 2 per cent of the seats and the rest was in favour of Kejriwal (AAP)," he said.
The ED on Thursday arrested Kerjiwal in an excise policy-linked money laundering case. On Friday, he was remanded in ED's custody for six days.
At the rally, Raut also targeted the BJP-led Centre and state government.
"We don't want your Acche Din'. Give us the days we had before 2014. There's no impact on us after Ajit Pawar joined their alliance. Our party has grown stronger after Eknath Shinde left us. Maharashtra didn't witness the difference after those who left us," he said.
The Sharad Pawar-founded NCP split last year after Ajit Pawar and several MLAs loyal to him broke away to join the Maharashtra government. In 2022, Shinde had triggered a similar upheaval in the original Shiv Sena to become the chief minister with BJP's help.
"Do not threaten us. We are not going to be afraid of anything. We will see a change in the government in the country in the next four months. Once our government is formed, no one will be left in your party," he added.
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Nursing college student from Kerala dies by suicide at hostel, parents allege foul play
Bengaluru (PTI): A 19-year-old student from Kerala, who was studying at a private nursing college here, allegedly died by suicide in his hostel room, police said on Friday.
The deceased was identified as Adhityan P A, a second-year student at a nursing college in Bommasandra, they said.
On April 29, he was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his hostel room, police said, adding that he left behind a suicide note stating that no one was responsible for his death.
Preliminary investigation suggested that he may have been suffering from depression, and there may have been other issues which are being probed, a senior police officer said.
According to police, in his complaint, the deceased's father, Pradeep S, claimed that a college representative informed him upon his arrival in Bengaluru that his son had died under suspicious circumstances and that it was a case of suicide in the college hostel.
"However, I firmly believe that my son would not have taken such a step. He was of good character and mentally strong. Therefore, I strongly suspect foul play in his death," he claimed.
He also highlighted an incident that occurred approximately 20 days ago, when his son informed him that some of his hostel roommates were involved in drug use and were caught by hostel authorities.
"They were warned along with my son, although he was innocent and not involved in the incident. This situation may be relevant to the present case," he stated.
The complainant has urged the police to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter and take appropriate legal action.
A case of unnatural death has been registered at Hebbagudi Police Station here. Further investigation is underway, and all allegations are being examined, police said.
