Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum highlighting Maharashtra’s agrarian crisis and concerns related to student protests over the NEET-UG examination paper leak. Pawar was accompanied by his daughter and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule during the meeting at the Prime Minister’s Parliament office.

The meeting took place during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, a day after Pawar and Sule visited students protesting at Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. Pawar urged the Centre to intervene in the matter and called for a sensitive approach towards students demanding accountability and reforms.

In his memorandum, Pawar drew attention to the challenges faced by farmers in Maharashtra due to irregular rainfall, drought conditions and administrative delays. He claimed that more than 2,700 farmers had died by suicide in Vidarbha and Marathwada within a year, highlighting the need for long-term measures instead of temporary financial assistance or loan waivers.

Also Read: Government Sources Say Centre Ready For NEET Paper Leak Debate

Pawar called for steps to ensure fair prices for agricultural produce and improve transparency in government systems. He also sought faster digital verification processes for compensation claims, an independent audit of delayed irrigation projects and stronger implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission in drought-affected regions.

Raising the issue of NEET-UG protests, Pawar urged the government to engage with students through dialogue and address their concerns regarding examination irregularities. He said peaceful protests were part of democratic rights and called for an administrative response based on accountability and understanding rather than force.

The meeting also took place amid political discussions surrounding the government’s efforts to secure support for the Delimitation Bill during the Monsoon Session. However, NCP (SP) leaders said the discussion with the Prime Minister focused only on agricultural issues and public concerns.

The NCP (SP), which has eight Lok Sabha MPs, is seen as a significant group in parliamentary calculations. The party has earlier indicated that it may consider supporting the Delimitation Bill if the government provides a written assurance regarding an increase in seats across constituencies.

Also Read: PM Modi Discusses NEET Leak Issue at NDA Parliamentary Meeting