Contesting Prez polls not part of my priorities: Sharad Pawar

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has said that the agrarian crisis, especially the rise in farmer suicides, increasing incidents of cow vigilantism, religious aggressiveness by fringe elements, and the growing unrest in Jammu & Kashmir are matters of grave concern for the country even as the NDA government completes its three years in office.

He reiterated that he is not in the running for President's office as his priorities are different. The NCP chief said that he would revive his mass contact programme in Maharashtra, which will be later extended to other parts of the country. In an exclusive interview with DNA's Sanjay Jog, Pawar spoke on a wide range of issues.

Despite opposition's appeal why don't you want to contest Presidential election?

I am not interested, I do not want to go that way. During the luncheon meeting convened by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, some 18 Opposition parties came together. I was the first speaker. I told them that we should not discuss the name for the President's post. If the ruling party prepares to discuss, we should not say no. If a consensus candidate emerges from such dialogues, it will be good for the country. Let's wait and not take an extreme position. I have no time as my priorities are different. I will soon start a mass contact programme from Maharashtra and may consider to take it to other states in the due course of time.

Will you take a lead to unite the Opposition to take on the BJP in the run up to 2019 elections?

My party is small and its strength is quite low in Parliament. My effort will be to remain with the Opposition on issues of national interest. It is true that a weak Opposition is an asset for the Modi government.

Congress is an important party though its presence now has been reduced in major states. It has to take the lead.

How do you react to recent raids by investigating agencies against Opposition leaders? Do you view it as vendetta politics?

There has been discussion on this. It is not good. You gain power, you lose power but the voters do not appreciate misuse of power. If there are allegations, conduct a probe. There is no objection. But voters dislike the action taken just to target somebody.

Former PM Indira Gandhi was arrested during the Janata rule and sent to Tihar jail. However, she was subsequently discharged. Thereafter, she started her nationwide tour from Vidarbha and once again came to power. So my only argument is hold inquiries but do not target somebody with a needle of suspicion.

How do you react to cow vigilantism and the government's recent decision to ban cattle slaughter?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had rightly snubbed the cow vigilantes.

However, the situation at the ground level is quite alarming with the rising incidents of cow vigilantism.

The recent government order banning cattle slaughter seems to be quite favourable for those creating nuisance under the garb of gau raksha. It emboldens the confidence also of those who take law into their hands.

The ban on cattle slaughter will have repercussions on the agriculture sector. Nobody says cows should be slaughtered, even farmers will never do it. Several states have already banned cow slaughter except north eastern states. However, ban on slaughter of bulls and bullocks and now even camels will affect the farm sector.

Now, the ban on sale and slaughter of cattle is illegal and unconstitutional. It will impact exports, leather industry and farmers as they won't be in a position to bear the burden of maintaining those unproductive cattle. In nutshell, the agrarian economy is in real danger.

While taking such a drastic decision what was the law department doing?

It looks like there is an emerging trend of religious aggressiveness to divert the attention from basic issues.

Further, it is also the Centre's encroachment on the basic rights of states in the federal structure. There is a need to think seriously whether there is a conscious effort by the NDA government to divert the thinking of the people towards religious fundamentalism with such decisions.

However, the government is taking credit for improvement in agriculture sector. What is your take?

It is not sudden but the result of the pro agriculture and farmer policies implemented by the UPA government. The decision to waive crop loan of Rs 71,000 crore led to opening of fresh credit line for farmers. The crop loan disbursed before the farm loan waiver was Rs 87,000 crore but it increased to a record Rs 7 lakh core next year. Subsequent two years witnessed rise in procurement price and ultimately India became the largest exporter in wheat and rice.

I am happy that even after the change in the government in 2014 the change in agriculture production has not changed and the decisions taken earlier are paying off.

However, farmers are in distress and are committing suicides. What is your take?

It is true that the government has not taken adequate steps to increase minimum support price and procurement price. Due to this couple with natural calamities farmers are getting frustrated and committing suicides.

Farmers suicides are increasing and it is a matter of great concern. The Central government in its affidavit filed at the Supreme Court has said 12,000 farmers annually committed suicides in last two to three years and it is not a small thing. The government has to act fast and take fresh measures to reverse this trend.

I will soon meet Prime Minister to discuss the severity of the issue and seek government's intervention for early solution.

I am unable to find out how demonetization has benefitted the agriculture sector. I am not an economist so will not comment on the economy but clearly the cooperative banking sector has hit hard. Currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 crore are lying in the custody of these banks and they have yet to be replaced. The financial health of these banks is deteriorating and they won't be in a position to give farm loan ahead of sowing operations which are expected to soon start.

This apart, the government's announcement on job creation has simply remained on paper. On the contrary, the unemployment has increased in three years. There is vast difference between promises and reality.

What is your comment on the present state of Jammu & Kashmir?

I am worried about the emerging trend in J&K. Modi sent a positive signal by celebrating Diwali with the people of J&K but thereafter the frustration is mounting among the residents due to unrest. During the previous NDA government former minister AB Vajpayee continued dialogue and witnessed record turnout in elections. However, in the Srinagar by-poll only 7 per cent of voters cast their ballots. It speaks volume.