Mumbai, Jun 4 (PTI) Senior NCP leader Dilip Walse Patil on Thursday said he met NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar here and discussed farmers’ issues, particularly onion prices and challenges facing the sugar industry, but claimed that no talks happened on political matters.
The meeting took place at Pawar’s residence Silver Oak in south Mumbai.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Walse Patil said there was no reason to draw unnecessary speculation about his meeting with Pawar.
The former Maharashtra minister said the meeting was convened to discuss matters concerning the Vasantdada Sugar Institute and educational institutions he is associated with, as well as issues affecting farmers.
“Whenever we meet regarding the functioning of these institutions, we do not discuss politics at all,” he said.
The discussions centred on the onion price situation in Maharashtra and challenges likely to be faced by the sugar industry in the forthcoming crushing season.
Walse Patil said Pawar was briefed about the recent Delhi visit of a delegation led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, which met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other central leaders regarding farmers’ concerns.
“After the Delhi meeting, Amit Shah ji had said that decisions on the onion issue and the problems faced by the sugar industry would be taken within 10 days. I believe a decision will come by June 10,” he said.
“There is fast-paced movement underway at the Centre on these issues,” he added.
Highlighting Pawar’s longstanding association with agricultural issues, Walse Patil said the veteran leader had consistently taken interest in matters concerning onion growers, sugarcane farmers and other cultivators.
He said Pawar was provided detailed information on the issues and was requested to offer suggestions if he had any.
“Apart from these issues, no other subject was discussed,” Walse Patil said.
Dismissing speculation over political discussions during the meeting, he reiterated that neither he nor Pawar raised any political matters.
Asked about aspirants within the party for the lone Rajya Sabha seat where by election is scheduled after it was vacated by party chief Sunetra Pawar, Walse Patil said all leaders and workers would remain united behind the organisation.
“No matter how many aspirants there may be, they will all work for the party. There is no issue,” he said. PTI MR NP
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