Maharashtra governor Koshyari lauds Sharad Pawar, raises hopes in MVA

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari unexpectedly showered praise on NCP president Sharad Pawar for his contribution in the field of agriculture. Koshyari conferred the honorary doctor of science degree to Pawar at the special convocation of the Mahatma Fule Agriculture University. The honorary degree was also conferred on senior BJP leader and union minister Nitin Gadkari.
Soon after the university declared that it will confer honorary degree on Pawar, speculation was rife in political circles whether he would accept the invitation in view of his differences with the governor. Contrary to expectations, Pawar agreed to accept the honorary degree at the hands of Koshyari.
In his brief address, Koshyari remarked that both Pawar and Gadkari are rising stars, their contribution is beyond any degree and award, and that universities should take guidance from them while drafting courses. Besides administration, Pawar is a leading expert in the field of agriculture and cooperation.
Now that Koshyari has broken the ice, MVA leaders expect that the file pertaining to the nomination of experts on the legislative council may see the light of day. On November 6, a delegation of MVA led by Anil Parab had submitted the list of 12 nominees to Raj Bhavan. The CM and Ajit Pawar brought it to the notice of Modi too, while a PIL was filed before the high court, which expected that a decision will be taken within a reasonable period.
An NCP cabinet member says no one knows when the reasonable period will end.
Sweet victory for Nirupam
For former Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam, it was an unexpected victory when former CAG Vinod Rai tendered an unconditional apology to him and his family for his remarks. In his book ‘Not just an accountant : The diary of the nation’s conscience keeper’, Rai had mentioned that a section of Congress MPs had personally called on him and pressurised him not to mention the name of Manmohan Singh in his report on 2G spectrum and allotment of coal blocks. Subsequently, in an interview, Rai mentioned the name of three MPs, including Sanjay Nirupam, who was shocked to see his name.
Nirupam filed a defamation case before a New Delhi court in 2014. The court sent notices to Rai, but he never appeared before the court and sought adjournment. Nirupam says when he insisted on his presence in court, he submitted an unconditional apology, saying he had inadvertently and wrongly mentioned his name. Nirupam feels Rai should apologise to Singh too and the nation.