The Hindu : National : Anti-Pawar remarks irk NCP

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Sunday, Dec 30, 2007
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Anti-Pawar remarks irk NCP

MUMBAI: Expressing resentment over Maharashtra Congress chief Prabha Rau’s remarks against its president Sharad Pawar, the Nationalist Congress Party on Saturday asked her to concentrate on squabbles in her party.

“Instead of focusing attention on Mr. Pawar, Ms. Rau should spare time to attend to the intra-party squabbles and factionalism within the Congress,” NCP State spokesperson Prakash Binsale said.

Speaking at a party function here on Friday Ms. Rau had criticised Mr. Pawar for his role in forming the Progressive Democratic Front government. In 1978, Mr. Pawar became Maharashtra’s youngest ever Chief Minister after forming and leading the PDF government.

The Congress and the NCP are alliance partners in the ruling coalition, which is into its second term in office.

“The NCP allied with the Congress in 1999 only to keep communal forces away from power. In 2004, despite its numerical strength being more than that of the Congress, the NCP allowed the Congress to claim the chief ministerial post,” Mr. Binsale said. — PTI

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