Sharad Pawar responds to PM’s ‘bhatakti aatma’ jibe, says his soul restless for farmers and common man

It is restless not for selfish goals but thinking of ways to present the plight of farmers. Common citizens are fed up of inflation and facing problems in everyday life and I cannot rest until I voice that unease,” said Pawar, without naming Modi.

“But that restlessness is because of people’s plight. Maharashtra cannot be helpless. It will never compromise on pride,” Pawar added.

In an election campaign rally in Pune on Monday, targeting Pawar, Modi had said, “There is a ‘bhatakti atma’ (wandering soul) in Maharashtra. If it does not manage to success it spoils others’ good work. Maharashtra has been a victim of it.”

The NCP-SP had reacted sharply saying Pawar is the soul of Maharashtra .

“He (Modi) does not understand that Sharad Pawar is the soul of Maharashtra. The more he speaks against him, the greater will be the support to him (Pawar),” said NCP-SP state president Jayant Patil.

Former minister and senior party leader Anil Deshmukh, referring to Modi, said, “The restless soul from Gujarat is moving from pillar to post in this summer for the sake of votes because of him (Pawar).”

Modi’s attack comes at a time when Pawar’s moves of bringing leaders who had quit NCP and joined BJP back to its fold have cornered the BJP on key seats in western Maharashtra — Madha, Solapur, Ahmadnagar and Satara.

Pawar has been leading the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi’s attack in western Maharashtra and as a result Modi has held over six rallies in two days covering this part of the state.