Following the Congress party's alleged disenchantment and speculations about the Maha Vikas Aghadi partners not being on the same page in protesting against the agriculture bills, Nationalist Congress Party boss Sharad Pawar clarified his party's position on Tuesday. He said the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) agriculture policy had contradictions. He also joined the Rajya Sabha members' hunger strike against RS deputy chairman Harivansh for not allowing the debate and suspending them.

'Did not support BJP'

Talking to media persons in Mumbai, Pawar said he was absent in the Rajya Sabha for the past two days because he was needed in Mumbai to decide the MVA's stand on securing quota for Marathas, which the Supreme Court has stayed. He denied reports that his party supported the BJP by walking out of the house when the bills were put to voice votes. "The information isn't true. Our members protested and walked out when the deputy chairman rushed through the bills. In the Lok Sabha, Supriya Sule has spoken against the bills. In fact, my assessment of the deputy chairman, who is a disciple of (a great socialist leader) Karpuri Thakur, was proved wrong today. His conduct was unprecedented. I haven't seen such a thing in my 50 year parliamentary career. That's why I have observed a fast today to support the MPs," said Pawar.