We will solve the power crisis: Sharad Pawar

With the Congress-NCP combine being voted back to power, Sharad Pawar is at peace. He spoke to DNA.

Who should be made the CM?
I don’t think I should comment on this. All I can say is that the new chief minister should be someone who has the vision to lead the state.

What are the challenges before Maharashtra today?
The unity of the state is integral to its overall development. Divisive politics based on caste, community and narrow regional issues does not auger well for its progress. I am confident that with a stable government we can go a long way in addressing these concerns effectively. Shortage of power, water scarcity and infrastructure-related problems also need to be tackled.  

Maharashtra was once a leading state on most fronts, from education to industry. Why has the state lost its glory?
Till the 1990s there was always a one-party government in Maharashtra which provided political stability. Since 1995, the coalition era began where consensus for every policy decision became necessary. The biggest setback for the state has been in the power sector. The Shiv Sena-BJP government (1995-99) is solely responsible for this.  

 Why hasn’t the Congress-NCP government solved the power crisis?
For the first three to four years, the anti-investment climate made it difficult for us to get investors in the power sector. But in the last four-five years concrete steps have been taken to build major power projects. In a couple of years we will see the results. We will overcome the problems in the coming years.

Do you justify agitations for the Marathi manoos?
It’s not a question of justifying or rejecting it. Yes, there are issues related to their economic and education backwardness which cannot be overlooked.