Indira Gandhi never sought votes in name of Army but PM Modi did: Sharad Pawar
Akola: NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday sought to remind Prime Minister Narendra Modi that "unlike him" former premier Indira Gandhi never sought votes in the name of the "valour of the Army" but had given credit to the security personnel for winning a crucial war for the country.
Addressing a poll rally in Balapur in the east Maharashtra city, Pawar also accused the BJP-led Central and Maharashtra governments of "not being concerned" about the plight of farmers, whom he appealed to defeat the ruling party in the October 21 Assembly elections.
The veteran politician said that people across Maharashtra were pitching for "change of guard" in the state.
"The Prime Minister of the country, Narendra Modi, campaigned on the issue of national security in the Lok Sabha polls (held earlier this year)," Pawar told the gathering while referring to the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were martyred.
The attack triggered an IAF air strike in Balakot in Pakistan.
Referring to the episode, Pawar said, the Air Force had given a "befitting reply" to the perpetrators of the Pulwama attack, but PM Modi sought vote in the name of valour shown by the security forces.
"I remember India and Pakistan had warred (in 1971).
Indira Gandhi was the prime minister then. Gandhi not only won the war (for India) and created history, but also changed the world's geography.
"The then Pakistan was divided into two parts, leading to creation of a new country called Bangladesh. But Gandhi never sought votes in the name of valour shown by the Army," the former Defence minister said.
Pawar, a former Congressman, further said Gandhi was clear in her mind that the entire country had backed the Army during the war and hence she never politicised the issue but gave credit to the security personnel.
"The Air Force's action helped the country after Pulwama. But wherever Modi Saheb went (after the air strike), he said 'we did it'. At one place, he had said that 'ghus ke maroonga' (will barge in and hit).
"It is the Army or Air Force that takes the action and these people, sitting in Delhi, will say 'ghus ke maroonga'," Pawar said.
The former Union minister alleged that plight of the common people has increased on the BJP's watch. He said the elections was an opportunity to take stock of the performance of the Devendra Fadnavis government. Pawar noted that agrarian crisis had deepened in the state during the past five years.
He alleged only 31 per cent farmers benefited from the state government's farm loan waiver scheme. "Make them seat at home if they (ruling parties) come to seek your votes," Pawar appealed.
In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections held this summer, PM Modi had asked first-time voters to dedicate their vote to those who carried out the Balakot air strike.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
US rules out use of nuclear weapons against Iran
Washington DC: The White House has reportedly ruled out the use of nuclear weapons against Iran, even as uncertainty continues over ongoing peace negotiations and a deadline set by US President Donald Trump approaches.
Issues bout a possible escalation had increased after US Vice President JD Vance said that the United States has “tools in our toolkit that we so far haven’t decided to use” in dealing with Iran.
His remarks came amid rising tensions and ahead of a deadline linked to peace efforts.
The situation has attracted attention as Trump warned Iran that its “whole civilization will die tonight tonight” if an agreement is not reached by Tuesday at 8 pm.
This statement led to speculation about the possibility of extreme military measures, including a nuclear strike.
Following Vance’s comments, the White House issued a clarification distancing itself from such interpretations. In a post on X, it said, "Literally nothing @VP said here 'implies' this, you absolute buffoons." In a later statement, it added that “only the president knows” what action will be taken regarding Iran.
Literally nothing @VP said here "implies" this, you absolute buffoons https://t.co/7JU3wXMaWX
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 7, 2026
