Ajit Pawar says work, not political lineage, lasts

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who recently staged a coup of sorts in the Sharad Pawar-led NCP to assume the post, says it is one's work among masses and not political lineage (he is Pawar's nephew) that counts.

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who recently staged a coup of sorts in the Sharad Pawar-led NCP to assume the post, says it is one's work among masses and not political lineage (he is Pawar's nephew) that counts.

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"I won't deny that hailing from a political family benefit you once...the first time around. But subsequently, you have to show your work. If your work is okay, you have people's support or else it withers away," he said in an interview to a TV channel.

Asked if senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, whom he replaced as the deputy Chief Minister, is sulking, he said, "Had that been the case, he wouldn't have proposed my name for the post."

To a query on whether he felt Bhujbal should now work at the Centre, he said, "Bhujbal will take a decision on the issue. He has worked at the grassroots. Tomorrow, if he feels that he should go to national politics, he will. The timing should be right."

"One day, he will surely go to national level as national leader of NCP. Of course, one can't say when this will happen. He will have to take a call on this as he is our elderly leader," he said.

"There is no reason why we juniors have to tell him. He will take a decision after consulting Pawar saheb, Praful Patel and Tariq Anwar. As of now, he has decided to work in the state ministry," Ajit Pawar said.