'Efforts on to divide people along caste and involve them in temple politics'

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday claimed attempts were being made to divide people based on caste and religion and rulers are not interested in resolving problems of people but are instead trying to divert their attention with temple politicsAddressing a function in north Maharashtra Pawar blamed the economic policy of the current Union government for the plight of Marathispeaking textile mill workers in MumbaiPawar also accused the government of trying to weaken labour unions and make them dependent on it and appealed to workers in the country to unite to secure their futureAt many places government works are closing There are attempts to divide people over caste and religion There are many issues such as unemployment price rise and there are expectations that power should be used to resolve these problems but rulers are not interested he claimedAlso Read Irrespective of Sharad Pawars opinion Adani scam should be probed by JPC only Nana PatoleIn a veiled jibe at Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde who is on Ayodhya visit Pawar said efforts are being made to involve people in issues like temple politics to divert their attention from real problemsThese are difficult times We will have to be alert You work for the country and even for other nations I do not doubt your future it is bright but it depends on your unity Pawar addedHe was speaking as the chief guest on the occasion of the platinum jubilee of Hind Mazdoor Sabhas foundation dayThe scenario in the country is changing for workers Once there were several industries and many workers were working in the cities of Maharashtra Around 2530 years ago Mumbai was considered the industrial capital of India but the situation is different now No one considers it as the industrial capital anymore because workers are not there and the condition of workers there is worrisome the former Union minister saidHe said as many as 110115 textile mills used to operate in Girangaon in Mumbai and workers used to stay in chawls but the scenario has changedMany 4050storey skyscrapers have come up and Marathi workers from Girangaon are not part of these highrise buildings These workers have been devastated This is the result of the present economic policy of the Union government Pawar saidHindu Mazdoor Sabha general secretary Harbhajan Singh Siddhu claimed the situation in the country is very serious as there is an undeclared emergencyFormer minister and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal spoke on how his name was dragged into the infamous Telgi stamp paper scam but the CBI chargesheet didnt name himPawar visited India Security Press ISP and Currency Note Press CNP unitsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever