Mumbai: "I am a farmer at heart," said NCP president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar as he continued on his massive public outreach programme in the run-up to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly polls.
“Before entering politics, I have worked hard on farms…I have milked cows and buffaloes, and gathered eggs in poultry farms. I am a farmer at heart. There are many who claim to solve farmers’ issues without understanding farming,” Ajit Pawar said during the Jan Sanman Yatra in Morshi assembly constituency in Amravati district on Sunday.
“My journey from being a farmer to becoming the Deputy Chief Minister is proof of my dedication,” he said.
“I am not hungry for power. If we can't serve the people, what good is our position? It's about making a difference in people's lives. Power should be used to uplift humanity,” said Ajit Pawar amid thunderous applause.
Ajit Pawar took the opportunity to again apologise to the people of Maharashtra for the collapse of Shivaji Maharaj statue in Malvan. “An investigation is ongoing,” the Deputy Chief Minister said and assured that guilty, if any, would face severe punishment.
Talking about the Shivaji Maharaj, he said “During Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s era, the empire was known as the 'people's state', not the 'Bhosale's kingdom'. There will never be a ruler like Shivaji Maharaj. We've apologised, but our opponents are politicising the issue.”
The Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, he said, has benefited over 1.60 crore women in the state. During this state-wide yatra, Ajit Pawar was seen meeting and greeting women, whereby thousands of women tied rakhis to the leader.
Expressing his gratitude towards women he said, “I've been reflecting on the selflessness of women; especially how poor women sacrifice their own desires for the betterment of society. We are committed to punishing those who harm women. Women’s security is of utmost importance to us, and this is the stance of Maha Yuti.”