Ajit Pawar puts speculation to rest: ‘Not unhappy, NCP has given me everything’

“It was the national conference. Our state president, Jayant Patil, presented state’s position in the conference. There were a number of other leaders who were to speak. But everybody wanted to hear our national president Sharad Pawar ji and since it was getting very late, it was decided that he will speak. I had gone to the washroom and it was presented in the media as if I am unhappy,” said Ajit Pawar while addressing a press conference in Mumbai.

Ajit Pawar was scheduled to deliver a speech during the NCP’s eighth national convention at New Delhi’s Talkatora Stadium on Sunday. However, when he was called on to speak, he was found missing from the stage. Subsequently, senior party leader Praful Patel announced that Ajit Pawar had gone to the washroom and would speak on his return. But the speech never took place leading to speculation about discord within the party.

However, on Monday, Ajit Pawar said that there was no reason for him to be unhappy as his party has given him everything. “Should I give it in writing on a stamp paper that I am not unhappy?” He asked.
Ajit Pawar said that it has always been his position to avoid speaking at events outside Maharashtra which is why he told media personnel in Delhi that he will speak on the episode on his return to the state.

Ajit Pawar, who is also the leader of opposition in Maharashtra legislative assembly, meanwhile, slammed the state government over guardian ministers not being appointed for districts even after a month since the swearing-in ceremony.

“The state government has stayed all the schemes approved in present fiscal under the district plan. It was announced that the guardian ministers will take review of the same. It is already September and since appointments of guardian ministers is yet to be made, all developmental schemes are being halted,” said Pawar. He said that the Chief Minister and deputy Chief Minister must answer as to why they have not expanded the cabinet yet and guardian ministers have not been appointed.

Following the cabinet expansion last month when 18 cabinet ministers were sworn in, both the CM and the deputy CM had said that the next round of cabinet expansion will be held post-monsoon session of the state legislature. Three weeks after the session, the expansion is yet to take place.

Pawar said that the expansion may not take place until the winter session. “We are also hearing that many of the ministers will not take charge of their respective office during the Pitru Paksha. Is this government run by superstition? Have they become ministers for people or for fun?” he asked.