Deputy CM Ajit Pawar being defamed by opposition: NCP

In a damage control exercise, NCP today tried to defend the style of functioning of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who has been accused of "arrogance" by the opposition, saying that he was being targeted and defamed in the aftermath of the defeat in Khadakwasla assembly by-poll.

"Ajit Pawar is being targeted, with a creation of a negative image of his style of functioning...his style of functioning is efficient," said Pune city NCP chief Vandana Chavan in a statement here. "Pawar is outspoken and calls spade a spade. He does not keep things pending. All this is being misrepresented to defame him. We protest this," the statement said.

Chavan described Pawar as "dashing" and someone who means what he says and does not give false promises. She deplored that opposition parties were painting a negative image of an "efficient" leader, by accusing him of having ruffian ways.

Pawar has drawn much flak for the loss of NCP's  Harshada Wanjale to BJP's Bhimrao Tapkir in the prestigious by-poll. The BJP-Shiv Sena-RPI alliance had highlighted Ajit Pawar's alleged "arrogant" style of functioning during the campaign.