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The recent cancellation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Pune due to heavy rains sparked a wave of political commentary, with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule taking the opportunity to criticize the BJP's handling of the situation. Sule, the MP from Baramati in Pune district, expressed disappointment over the missed visit but seized the moment to highlight what she perceived as a pattern of political posturing. Her remarks focused on the repeated inaugurations of the Pune Metro project, suggesting a lack of genuine progress and a penchant for staged political events.
Sule pointed out that this would have been the sixth time Modi had inaugurated the same project, highlighting a perceived disconnect between the PM's public appearances and the actual implementation of development initiatives. She urged the PM to conduct the inauguration virtually, arguing that the city's residents shouldn't have to wait for his next visit to witness the completion of a project that had already been repeatedly launched. This call for an online inauguration reflects a growing trend in virtual events, especially in a post-pandemic world, where technology is being leveraged to bridge geographical limitations.
Beyond the Pune Metro controversy, Sule delved into the political landscape of Maharashtra, addressing Union Minister Amit Shah's recent visit to the state to meet with BJP and allied leaders. She characterized Shah's focus as an obsession with undermining the political figures of Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray, suggesting a larger political strategy aimed at weakening the opposition. This statement underscores the escalating political tension between the ruling BJP and the opposition parties in Maharashtra, particularly NCP and Shiv Sena.
Sule further drew a connection between Shah's visit and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) notice served on Sharad Pawar five years ago, emphasizing the coincidence of both events occurring around elections. She alleged that the BJP was resorting to tactics of intimidation and targeting key opposition figures in an attempt to gain political advantage. This accusation hints at a broader perception of the BJP using investigative agencies for political purposes, a claim often leveled against the party by opposition members.
Finally, Sule addressed the recent visits of PM Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to the United States, emphasizing the long-standing relationship between India and the US. She credited former PM Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama for laying the foundation of this partnership, highlighting the continuity of foreign policy despite political changes. This acknowledgment of the bilateral relationship serves to counter any perception of instability in India's foreign policy due to the changing political landscape.