Not attempting to get ministership for daughter: Sharad Pawar

Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar today said his request to prime minister Manmohan Singh to reduce the number of his existing portfolios was not intended either to elevate his NCP colleague Praful Patel to cabinet rank or to seek a ministerial berth for daughter Supriya Sule.

"No, No. She (Supriya) is not interested to join government at all at this end. And, secondly, I am not going to insist that ministry should be given to my party," Pawar told CNN-IBN during Devil's Advocate programme when asked whether he was hoping that the ministry he gives up, will be given to his daughter.

On whether there was an attempt to find a ministership for Supriya Sule or a promotion for Praful Patel, he said, "No, No. We know what is the practice in UPA. It depends on your total number in Parliament for how many portfolios you are eligible. And my party got according to our numbers."

In fact, his party does not have "any right" to ask for additional ministership, Pawar categorically said. 

"It is prime minister's prerogative," he said when asked whether the ministership could go to anyone to any party.

Pawar said he asked the prime minister to reduce the number of his portfolios because of "too much work load" he had.

"It is too much work load and in last five years, I have managed and not only managed but have substantially improved...I am also party chief. I want to travel little more in India, in the interior part of the country. That will be helpful for agriculture (ministry), also for me to keep my rapport with the mass," he said.