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Indian cannot contest election in Italy, says Pawar

Unmindful of the axe of expulsion facing him, senior Congress leader Sharad Pawar sought to whip up popular sentiments for his demand that persons of foreign origin be debarred from holding high office, at the valedictory session of the 'Vasant Vykhyanmala' (spring lecture series) in Pune this evening.

Speaking before a mammoth gathering at the Tilak Smarak Mandir, Pawar sought to strike a sentimental note by relating his demand to nationalist feelings.

While trying to justify his demand that persons of foreign origin be debarred from holding the offices of the President, the vice president and the prime minister, Pawar said this was the normal practice followed the world over.

Even as preparations were on for hosting the crucial CWC meeting in Delhi, that is expected to decide his fate and two of his colleagues, Pawar was busy trying to whip up passions for his demand.

Pawar, at that very crucial moment, was busy explaining to the gathering as to how a person of Indian origin was debarred from contesting an election in Italy -- the country of origin of Sonia Gandhi.

An Indian artiste, Sonali Dasgupta, Pawar was telling the gathering at that very moment, had married an Italian and settled in that country. Sonali Dasgupta, after her marriage, engaged herself in social work in Italy and subsequently wanted to contest some elections. But, she was refrained from doing so, Pawar cited.

''If I were to become an American citizen and if an earthquake were to strike Texas, I would at the most feel sorry. But, while residing in America if an earthquake were to create havoc in Latur, I would feel restless despite the great distance separating me,'' Pawar told the gathering.

This would be most normal because of the pull of the soil of my birth -- an affinity for the place of birth -- is much stronger than any other attachment, Pawar was busy explaining.

Pawar rued that a demand for his expulsion was being raised because he had given vent to such nationalist feelings.

The Maharashtra strongman remarked that Jawaharlal Nehru had been receptive to criticism and, in fact, even welcomed constructive criticisms. The late prime minister had been able to hold the Congress together and ensured the sustained rule of the party in the country because of his virtue to respect his critics and his ability to recognise regional aspirations, Pawar said.

the last lecture under the 125-year-old rpt 125-year-old spring lecture series today had generated tremendous response as it was being addressed by mr pawar and the audience were expecting a lot of fireworks, especially after mr pawar's revolt. But, the former maharashtra chief minister and union defence minister chose to play his cards safe and dealt at length on the problems plaguing the country instead.

The political leadership of recent times, had neglected the regional aspirations which had led to a proliferation of regional parties, he told the gathering. The political instability had led to the holding of the 13th general elections when, in fact, it should have been the ninth after the first general elections in 1952, he remarked.

He said political parties cannot afford to neglect the regional aspirations nor the aspirations of the backward classes, the tribals and the women. These classes have to be accorded their rightful place in the decision-making process, he said.

Referring to the Bharatiya Janata Party's bid to combine religion with politics, Pawar said that the party had realised its mistake and had mellowed down on this count. Pawar referred to the progress made by the country in space, atomic and information technologies. But, he rued that the progress made by the country had not percolated down to reach all the people because of the burgeoning population.

UNI

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