Pawars’ ease with Modi on display at event in Pune

While Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar was cautious not to make any political comment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dropped several hints in his speech. Modi visited the Vidya Pratishthan, Krishi Vidnyan Kendra, and inaugurated a hall named after Appasaheb Pawar, the NCP chief’s elder brother.

While Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar was cautious not to make any political comment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dropped several hints in his speech. Modi visited the Vidya Pratishthan, Krishi Vidnyan Kendra, and inaugurated a hall named after Appasaheb Pawar, the NCP chief’s elder brother.

Except Praful Patel, no prominent NCP leader was present at the function. Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule, however, shared the dais with Pawar and Modi.

Modi was scheduled to spend half-an-hour at Pawar’s residence in Baramati. He, however, spent almost an hour with Pawar over lunch. Sources said there was no separate meeting between Modi and Pawar.

Sources close to Pawar said members of the extended Pawar family were invited for lunch. Three generations of Pawar family were present for the lunch, while there was also a separate seating arrangement for members of the Pawar family at a farmer‘s rally.

According to sources, special Maharashtrian food was prepared for Modi. Members of the Pawar family took the opportunity to get photographed with Modi.

In Baramati, posters welcoming Modi were put on all major streets. The posters displayed photographs of Narendra Modi and Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule.

Maharashtra governor CH Vidyasagar Rao and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis accompanied the Prime
Minister.