And keeping in mind the sentiments of the crowd -- that comprised mainly workers belonging to textile mills and cooperatives -- Pawar spoke at length about the sacrifices made by them during the freedom struggle, peppering his speech with proverbs and folk tales. ``History shows how textile mill workers and farmers gave up their lives to drive away the British. Today, the same workers are languishing without work with the Shiv Sena-BJP government doing nothing for them,'' he said, adding, ``It's a shame that more than 300 farmers ruined by debts committed suicide in the state during the alliance government's regime. The city of Mumbai which was known all over theworld for its enterprise and prosperity is today reeling under unemployment and sick mills.''

He accused the state government of ``snatching'' food meant for the poor. ``The government does not even help its own people. Education and meal schemes that we began for the adivasis have been stopped by this government. Their motto in life seems to be u Tithe Khau

(Wherever we go, we usurp). They have done nothing for college teachers who keep on going on strike from time to time. In fact, I am worried about the Rs 40,000 crore debt my government will have to repay with interest after we come to power. Who asked them to build 55 flyovers at one go and then charge toll to further increase the plight of the people?'' he asked.

Shifting to his favourite punching bag, Pawar blamed Sonia Gandhi for raising the Kargil bogey when the war was on. ``She demanded a Rajya Sabha session on how the infiltrators had managed to cross the border even when the country was trying to throw them out. I spoke to her party urgingthem to discuss the matter later but the security of the motherland was not important for her. What more can you expect from a foreigner?'' he asked. ``We have demanded the explanation now when there is no threat to the country and when the BJP is trying its best to reap the rewards of Kargil.''

However, there was hardly any sloganeering or thunderous applause for his speech. A few mill workers present said they had come on the orders of their leader, Ahir. ``All the leaders promise but fail to deliver. We have no expectations but we will definitely vote for Pawar since he has done a lot for the farmers and the working class.''