Congress plays down Sharad Pawar's remarks on UPA-II

Congress today played down Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar's reported remarks that a series of scandals had weakened the authority of the UPA-II government.

"We have always made it clear that every constituent of the coalition has the democratic right to explain his views. It does not mean that it is shared by all of us," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told reporters in reply to a volley of questions.

He was asked whether Congress agrees to Pawar's views about the state of affairs in the UPA-II in the wake of a series of scams. Singhvi insisted that Pawar's remarks were being seen in wrong perspective.

He spoke in similar vein in reply to a number of questions on the issue, saying the NCP chief was explaining his views. A senior Congress leader, who declined to be identified, said Pawar has not said Congress is guilty but has just mentioned that scams are weakening the government which is a statement of fact.

Pawar has not targeted any particular leader but was talking about the system and it was a fact that judiciary has become proactive, the leader said.

During an interaction with a newspaper, Pawar had said that a series of scandals had weakened the authority of the UPA-II government and this had led to other forces such as the judiciary asserting themselves.