Ajit Pawar supports RR Patil against NCP chief’s criticism

A day after NCP chief Sharad Pawar expressed displeasure over the way the state home ministry was being handled, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar sprang to home minister RR Patil's defence saying Pawar’s remarks did not mean the home minister should resign.

A day after NCP chief Sharad Pawar expressed displeasure over the way the state home ministry was being handled, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar sprang to home minister RR Patil's defence saying Pawar’s remarks did not mean the home minister should resign.

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“It is not fair to hold RR Patil alone responsible. Pawarsaheb is our leader. It is his duty to express views about the performance of party ministers. Patil is a capable minister,” Ajit said on Sunday.

The deputy CM’s remarks are significant in view of Sharad Pawar’s open criticism of Patil, expressing concern over the blasts in Mumbai and Pune, and Patil’s failure in exercising authority. Ajit Pawar also said he was at the spot hours after the blast. “Many of us did not come because it unnecessarily puts pressure on the police machinery at crucial points. What Pawarsaheb means is that all ministers should fulfil their responsibilities more effectively,” he said.

He said the CCTV project in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad would be initiated within a month.