Ajit Pawar strides in as if he owns Mantralaya

Striking a defiant pose after his surprise re-induction into the state council of ministers as the deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar said if ministers were to be kept out of the government just because they were facing litigation, then it would not be possible for anyone to work.

“Anyone in the country can file PILs. These PILs can be filed against any individual in the state or Centre... I can guarantee if it is decided that a person is to be kept out (of the government) just because the judgment of the PIL is awaited... it will not be possible for anybody to work as the CM, DCM or the PM — all will have to sit out [of the government],” Pawar, 53, said after the swearing-in on Friday morning.

“There is no question of a clean chit [in the white paper on the status of irrigation projects],” he said.

Pawar rejoined the cabinet almost 70 days after he had resigned following allegations of irregularities in irrigation projects.