One has to swallow a bitter pill to get cured.
— Sharad Pawar
I feel proud when a player from Jammu and Kashmir plays for India. This shows cricket has reached all corners of the country.
There is a psychology of Bombay.
My lower and upper teeth had to be removed.
It is often remarked that I am very close to Mr. Modi. But when it comes to issues of national importance, I've never indulged in politics or considered whether the Prime Minister is from the opposition.
We want the media to enjoy its right of freedom.
Politics is all a matter of timing.
We have to be guided by the interest of society and the development of the state.
I have always fought for farmers getting better prices.
In 1978, when I was a non-Congress chief minister, we distributed surplus wheat among labourers. Later, when we visited a village, I asked a labourer whether he knew who sent the wheat. 'Yes, Indiraji - only Indiraji helps the poor.' Indiraji was a symbol for the weaker sections.
If I am a trader, and I know you have got ample stocks, why should I buy?
In agriculture, whatever you plan and execute takes 2-3 years to have an impact.
If my son enters politics, I will be able to guide him. He too would have learnt a lot from watching me, so he is less likely to make mistakes.
I believe in decentralized democracy.
During election time, I work over 21 hours. My day starts around 6 A.M., and I address meetings through the day. Between 10 P.M. and 2 A.M., I meet local leaders, where we discuss local issues and local problems.
As far as my involvement in the Bajaj family affairs is concerned, it is a friendly gesture.
I have always believed in cordial relationship with political parties and their leaders.
Government should make tough decisions in the larger national interests, even if it upsets the people.
How can any person with a myopic view and harbouring intense parochial attitude even think of leading the nation?
I was never sent to Kashmir on any secret mission. I want to make that position clear.
I am not an expert in medical field.
Party politics must be transcended to resolve pressing issues like agrarian matters or other similar issues.
Sometimes sugarcane takes about 15 months to grow, and hence it is inappropriate to ask farmers to pay their crop loans in 12 months.
I am worried about development in the field of information technology, communication, etc. So you cannot say that I have become inactive.
I have been president of the Indian Kabbadi Association, and likewise, I have been associated with various other sports as well.
For running a country, team work is important, and the person at the helm has to enjoy teamwork.
It was not a state secret that I would call on Thackeray. I was not hiding anything.
Ethanol is a long-term solution that will take time.
I have been to China. I noticed that wherever you went, you could ask an ordinary citizen, and he would explain, in detail, about free markets and all the other jargon of liberalisation.
Yes, Vajpayee and Advani are very clever speakers, but that does not mean everything they say is true.
In politics, acceptability plays very important role. On one hand, acceptability among the coalition partners is required for smooth functioning of the government. On the other hand, acceptability among the people is needed to run the country.
Normally, I work 18 hours a day.
Our party is united. At times, some people may have disagreements and leave, but it is not a big issue.
I have completed 43 years in politics and have been a minister of state, chief minister, and a Cabinet minister. A person who survives so many years is bound to face some attacks. It doesn't affect me because I know the truth.
One has to work quietly with lot of commitment.
When there is a calamity, don't think about the party, think beyond the party.
Modi is dangerous for the country.
I met Lalit Modi in London once. He had apprehensions regarding coming back to India, as his security was withdrawn. He was not worried about cases filed against him.
We want those responsible for the attack on Zee TV to be arrested and punished.
Have you seen a marathon race? Some runners will be leading right from the first - but after the halfway mark, it is the runners at the back who take over while the early leaders fade out.
I am very active in the co-operative movement. I am very active in agro-industrial growth. I am taking up the issues of the farmers of India. I am active in the field of education.
In India, no one becomes prime minister before they are in their mid-70s.
Running a government as chief minister and managing affairs of the nation are different things.
I still believe that a fight between two brothers should not destroy peace and harmony and bring trouble to the common man.
The agriculture ministry has to see that their good research percolates down to the fields through the state agricultural departments and the 70-odd state agricultural universities.
This Sonia Gandhi thing should be seen in perspective - the people of India have an emotional attachment to the family. And why not? Three of the five Congress prime ministers belong to that family. The people empathise with the family name.
Who knows controversies better than me? The controversies always chase people who are active and decision makers.
In the Congress, for every small thing, you have to consult the general secretaries.
Every election is hectic.
More and more agricultural land is being used for non-agricultural purposes. Whether it's any industry, express highway, or expansion of any city, agricultural land is being used.
