Maharashtra: Sharad Pawar will continue to be our leader, says Dilip Walse-Patil

Sharad Pawar (File Photo)

A senior NCP minister, Dilip Walse-Patil on Monday, expressed faith in the leadership of Sharad Pawar, a day after saying that the party founder was unable to muster a "clear majority" to form the government.

Under fire for his remarks on NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Dilip Walse-Patil, who joined the Eknath Shinde-led government in Maharashtra along with Ajit Pawar last month, claimed his remarks, made at a public event in Pune district, were misconstrued by media.

He said Sharad Pawar will be his leader even in the future.

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Addressing party workers at Manchar in his Assembly constituency Ambegaon, Walse-Patil said that the people of Maharashtra never gave Sharad Pawar power on his own or allowed him to single-handedly form the government.

Walse-Patil, said, "I feel the media has gotten it wrong. I never spoke ill about Pawar saheb. I was expressing regret that while other regional parties achieved power on their own, the people of Maharashtra did not give it to him. There is no question of demeaning Pawar saheb or questioning his ability."

"Despite being their tallest leader, the people of Maharashtra did not stand with him with full strength. I expressed my disappointment about this. This is not the first time that I spoke about it. I have said this in the past as well, including in party meetings. It is impossible that I would utter a wrong word or criticise Pawar saheb. I express regret over this misunderstanding," he said.

Sharad Pawar's grandnephew Rohit Pawar said it was people like Walse-Patil who were around Pawar during most of his political career. "Had these people worked harder, Pawar saheb would have gained power single-handedly, Rohit said.

(with inputs from PTI)