New Delhi, August 10: Amid speculations about the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar potentially joining the NDA, a delegation of party MPs, led by Supriya Sule from Baramati, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
After a 20-minute meeting, MP Dr. Amol Kolhe reported that the delegation raised several issues concerning Maharashtra’s policy challenges, infrastructure projects, and cultural identity. At the beginning of the meeting, PM Modi inquired about the health of senior leader Sharad Pawar. Praising Pawar’s work ethic and political journey, the Prime Minister noted that his energy and dedication serve as an inspiration in public life.
The delegation requested that notable social reformers and cultural figures from Maharashtra, including Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule, Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe, and Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj, be awarded India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna.
MP Bajrang Sonawane highlighted the drought situation in Beed district and urged the government to release water from the Ujani dam to the Manjara dam. Additionally, the MPs requested an increase in their constituency’s quota under the PM CARES Fund to provide financial assistance for treating serious illnesses.
Dr. Kolhe emphasized the need to expedite major projects, including the Nashik-Pune high-speed railway line, Pune-Nashik metro, PM Gati Shakti initiatives in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and the expansion of JNPT Port and the Kalyan-Murbad railway line.
MP Nilesh Lanke expressed concerns about the need for infrastructure expansion for cancer treatment and discussed pollution control in the Chandrabhaga River, along with issues related to onion prices affecting farmers.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Supriya Sule stated that political discussions did not take place. She emphasized the necessity of directly addressing urgent public grievances with the Prime Minister due to disruptions in the parliamentary session.
Dr. Kolhe noted that it is crucial to set aside political differences for the progress of Maharashtra. He raised serious concerns regarding heavy traffic jams and pothole-ridden roads in the Chakan industrial zone. Despite a tender of ₹59 crores being approved for road repairs, the infrastructure remains in poor condition, leading to 19 fatal accidents in the area.
Addressing rumors about the party joining the NDA or supporting a potential delimitation bill, Dr. Kolhe clarified that the meeting was entirely non-political. He urged anyone with doubts to view the meeting’s video, asserting that no political discussions occurred regarding joining the NDA.
Dr. Kolhe dismissed speculations linking the meeting to the delimitation bill, stating that no such bill has been presented in Parliament, making any assumptions premature.
MP Bajrang Sonawane mentioned that he presented a comprehensive list of urgent developmental demands to PM Modi, calling for immediate intervention in agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, and employment sectors.
He requested the immediate release of pending claims under the Prime Minister’s Crop Insurance Scheme for the 2025-26 period and the reinstatement of add-on insurance coverage for the 2026-27 season. Additionally, he called for establishing seasonal and mobile schools for children of sugarcane workers, local employment arrangements for community welfare, and targeted support for agriculture-based industries, food processing, MSMEs, and skill development initiatives to enhance job opportunities.
Sonawane also urged for expedited construction of the Dharashiv-Beed-Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar railway line and securing special central funds for developing major national highways in the region.
Furthermore, he requested PM Modi to approve a medical college and super-specialty health center in Beed, along with a 50-bed critical care block in Ambajogai. He also advocated for the expansion of farmer producer organizations, cold storage facilities, warehousing infrastructure, and agricultural processing centers, as well as the development of infrastructure and amenities at Beed’s significant religious and heritage tourism sites through central government schemes.
Meanwhile, NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar stated that eight party MPs would vote against the delimitation bill in the Lok Sabha.
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