Maharashtra: Former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar apologises for his unparliamentary words

Former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar had to eat his words after he had tried to humiliate the Shiv Sena by using an unparliamentary word, fadtus (third rate) while referring to the portfolios allocated to that party.

Speaking on the drought situation in the state, Ajit Pawar referred to the loan availed by the government, and pointing his hand towards Sena benches, said: "Loan is availed by those who have credit; those who don't have any credit in the society can't avail loan."

Referring to Sena leaders he said: "Now you have fulfilled your wish of joining the cabinet by settling for third rate (fadtus) portfolios. It was you who had stated that you would not allow ministers to move around freely if farmers were not provided an adequate package."

The House was stunned to hear Ajit Pawar's remarks, and soon after they had been made, representatives of Sena objected to it. Ajit Pawar however immediately apologised. He clarified that what he wanted to say was that

Sena ministers had been allocated portfolios that were insignificant.
Minister for environment Ramdas Kadam then reminded Ajit Pawar that the Congress-NCP government too had a few third rate portfolios and asked Ajit Pawar to reveal the names of the ministers who had handled them.