Pawar rules out disciplinary action against Mahajan

NCP president Sharad Pawar today ruled out disciplinary action against senior party leader Ratnakar Mahajan who recently advocated NCP's merger with Congress, saying that it was a democratic right of party members to articulate their views.

NCP president Sharad Pawar Saturday ruled out disciplinary action against senior party leader Ratnakar Mahajan who recently advocated NCP's merger with Congress, saying that it was a democratic right of party members to articulate their views.

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Pawar, however, said he was surprised by the views expressed by Mahahan as they were in contrast with his earlier thinking, adding that he was not aware what made Mahajan to take a totally changed posture.

"I do not contemplate any action against him and have no desire to create bitterness. It is a democratic party and everyone has a right to express his opinions. I believe in persuading colleagues through dialogue to change their thinking", Pawar told media persons on the sidelines of a function here.

Mahajan, who has been with NCP since its inception recently wrote a letter to Pawar saying since the issue of Congress president Sonia Gandhi's "foreign origin" that led to the formation of NCP, was no more alive, the party should opt for merger with Congress. His comments had evoked sharp responses from state NCP leaders who demanded his expulsion from the party.

Referring to Congress-NCP coalition in the state, he said it was important that both the sides observe certain decorum while making accusations against each other.