Bengaluru: BJP MP B.N. Bachegowda on Tuesday announced his retirement from active participation in electoral politics, marking the conclusion of his political journey.
Addressing a press conference, he cited his age and adherence to the principles outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the driving factors behind his decision.
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Bachegowda, at 81 years old, emphasized that the Prime Minister's guidance suggests retirement from party positions at the age of seventy. He also noted that the party leadership, including Prime Minister Modi, indicated that he would not be nominated for party tickets in the future, contributing to his choice to step back from active political involvement.
During his press conference, the veteran politician weighed in on the matter of providing essential food supplies. He directed criticism towards the BJP-led central government. He accused the Centre of neglecting Karnataka's interests, particularly in the realm of rice allocation. He expressed disappointment over what he perceives as injustice done to the state.
He criticized the stance of the union government, highlighting his stance that it is incorrect to not supply rice to Karnataka even if the state government promised the people of the state of giving money in place of rice. Bachegowda asserted that his opinion reflects that of a state MP.
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Mumbai, May 1 (PTI): Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said even 65 years after the formation of Maharashtra, there is one regret - that Belgaum and Karwar, parts of adjoining Karnataka, were still not merged with the western Marathi-speaking state.
Speaking at a party event organised on the occasion of Maharashtra Day, Pawar, who heads the ruling NCP, asserted his outfit will not abandon the ideology of legendary social reformers Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and B R Ambedkar.
Recalling the work of chief ministers of Maharashtra from the first CM Yashwantrao Chavan to the incumbent Devendra Fadnavis, Pawar said each one of them have contributed to development of the state since its formation in 1960.
"Maharashtra was formed out of struggle. Even if Maharashtra has completed 65 years of its existence, here is one regret in our hearts. Even today, the Marathi manoos (Marathi-speaking people) of Belgaum and Karwar are still not with us. The case is going on in the Supreme Court.
"The day they are merged with Maharashtra, we can confidently said Maharashtra is now complete," he said.
Maharashtra has been demanding that Marathi-speaking areas in Karnataka -- Belgaum, Karwar, Nipani -- be merged with the state, a stand strongly opposed by the southern state.
Pawar noted India's population in 1947 was 35 crore, but it has now multiplied four times to 140 crore. The population of the state has also increased accordingly, he said.
He emphasised that those in power now and in the past have been working to address the water woes of Maharashtra, but with a growing population, the sources have become limited.
The deputy CM said some people oppose the bullet train project in India, but China and Japan have progressed because of such high-speed transport modes.
The erstwhile Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government (November 2019-June 2022) had stopped the bullet train project connecting Mumbai to Ahmedabad which is currently under construction.