"The imposition of a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods is a pressure tactic. We, the people of India, should support the government to protect the interests of the country," Sharad Pawar said
Sharad Pawar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not ignore the signs of a growing chasm between India and neighbouring countries. File Pic
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday called for supporting the Modi government against the "pressure tactics" by US President Donald Trump amid tariff tensions in the national interest, reported the PTI.
"The imposition of a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods is a pressure tactic. We, the people of India, should support the government to protect the interests of the country," Sharad Pawar said while addressing a press conference in Maharashtra's Nagpur district, according to the PTI.
The former Union minister said he doesn't want to speculate whether the Modi government's foreign policy had failed.
"We saw the work style of Trump in his first term as US president earlier. I feel no one has control over him. He speaks impulsively whatever comes to his heart," he said, as per the PTI.
Sharad Pawar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not ignore the signs of a growing chasm between India and neighbouring countries.
"We also cannot ignore our approach towards our neighbouring countries. Today, Pakistan is against us, while countries including Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives are not happy with us.
"Our neighbours are moving away from us. I feel Modi saheb shouldn't ignore this aspect and should concentrate on improving the ties," he said, the news agency reported.
'Vote chori' allegations: Sharad Pawar backs Rahul, demands probe by EC
Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar on Saturday demanded a detailed probe by the Election Commission into allegations of "vote theft" raised by opposition leader Rahul Gandhi to remove doubts about the integrity of the electoral process and the image of the poll watchdog, reported the PTI.
The NCP (SP) chief also questioned the logic behind the EC asking Gandhi to file an affidavit and provide information under oath.
Rahul Gandhi on Thursday claimed a "huge criminal fraud" in polls through "collusion" between the BJP and the Election Commission, citing an analysis of voter rolls in a constituency in Karnataka last year.
A day after, he alleged that the Election Commission and the BJP colluded to "steal" the Lok Sabha election from the people, and that there was "vote theft" in at least three states.
"Rahul Gandhi's presentation on vote theft was well-researched and well-documented. A detailed inquiry is needed into the concerns raised by him to clear doubts (about the integrity of the electoral process) among people. 'Doodh ka doodh aur paani ka paani hona chaiye'. I feel the inquiry will bring out the truth," Pawar told reporters, according to the PTI.
He stated that since the EC is an independent body, it shouldn't ask for a separate declaration from Gandhi.
"Gandhi had also said this in Parliament. It is not proper for the election commission to ask for an oath (declaration) from him," he said.
Soon after Gandhi levelled the charge asserting that "vote chori"(vote theft) is an "atom bomb on our democracy", the Chief Electoral Officers of Karnataka and Maharashtra asked the former Congress chief to share names of electors he claimed were "wrong" in the voters' list along with a signed declaration for poll authorities to initiate "necessary proceedings" in the matter, the news agency reported.
The Election Commission on Friday accused Rahul Gandhi of recycling old allegations of poll irregularities settled by the Supreme Court, and asked the Congress leader to provide a written declaration on his claims about wrongful entries in the voters' list or tender an apology.
(with PTI inputs)
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