Undeterred by the Enforcement Directorate's move to file a case against him in connection with the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB) scam case, the Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar will launch his whirlwind statewide tour for Assembly poll campaign from October 1. Pawar, who recently completed six-day tour in the state, is expected to address at least 60 rallies- about three to four rallies a day- till October 19 in various assembly segments.
Party plans to organise Pawar's rallies in all 36 districts in such a way that he could also attend filing of nomination papers of few candidates. The tour schedule will be fixed soon. Despite exodus of a large number of party veterans, Pawar has already geared up to prove mettle.
Pawar told DNA, "I received an overwhelming response from the people especially youths during my six-day tour which ended on September 22. This is reminiscent of my similar statewide tour which I took after I had formed Samajwadi Congress in 1980. My party then had won about 18 seats in Marathwada region alone.'' He said he could witness enthusiasm among youths.
Pawar said people are severely hurt by the economic slowdown, lack of adequate jobs, farm crisis and insufficient rain in certain parts of Maharashtra. ''I could sense during my interaction with the people that they want a change,'' he noted.
Pawar downplayed defection of party leaders saying that he is confident people won't vote for the leaders who defected ahead of polls.
Meanwhile, party general secretary Shivajirao Garje said the list of 40 star pracharak (campaigners) will be sent next week to the Election Commission. "As per the Election Commission, the list needs to be submitted within a week since the issuance of notification for the election which falls on September 27. Some of the key pracharak include Praful Patel, Ajit Pawar, Chhagan Bhujbal, Jayant Patil, Dilip Walse Patil, Supriya Sule, Dhananjay Munde, Dr Amil Kolhe and Jitendra Avhad," he added.
