PM Modi likely to visit Baramati on Oct 16, says Pawar

Pune: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Baramati on Oct 16 on NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar’s request to inaugurate a newly constructed dome, housing a statue of Lord Buddha and exhibits on renowned social reformers.While interacting with his supporters in his hometown, Baramati, Pawar on Tuesday said he had spoken to PM Modi in this regard. “Since Oct 16 is the foundation of Vidya Pratishthan and the memorial is being set up on its campus, I have requested Prime Minister Modi to visit Baramati on that day for the inauguration of the memorial. He has told me that he would adjust his schedule, but if he decides to visit on Oct 20, we will hold the event on that day instead of Oct 16,” Pawar said.Sharing the information about the theme of the memorial, Pawar said the statue of Lord Buddha would be placed at the centre of the dome. The statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, Ahilyadevi Holkar, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Dr BR Ambedkar, Annabhau Sathe and others would be placed around the dome. “Information about these reformists would be displayed next to their statues in English and Marathi,” Pawar, the chairperson of Vidya Pratishthan educational institution, said.During the meeting of the institute last month, some trustees had requested Pawar to invite Prime Minister Modi for the inauguration of the memorial dome. Thereafter, he met the Prime Minister in Delhi and invited him to Baramati.Baramati is considered the bastion of the Pawar family. After becoming the Prime Minister for the first time in 2014, Modi had held a campaign rally against Pawars for the assembly elections. The next year, Modi visited Baramati on Pawar’s invitation to attend an event.The NCP (SP) leadership last week denied rumours that the party might join NDA, after Pawar’s meeting with Modi ignited speculations over it.