Ajit Pawar takes potshots at Prithviraj Chavan

Deputy chief minister and leader of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Ajit Pawar, on Saturday taunted chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, though without naming him. Saying that the topmost leaders of both parties are capable of taking decisions like allocation of portfolios, he added that “others” should not meddle in the issue.

Pawar was in the city to chair the meeting of the district planning and development committee (DPDC). He was asked by media persons about the reported statement by Chavan on Friday that it was a mistake to allocate the portfolios of both home and finance ministries to the NCP, the partner of Congress in the ruling alliance, which is running the state government since 1999.

The chief minister’s comment caused a political upheaval against the background of the latest bomb blasts in Mumbai and the criticism of the home department for its failure to prevent them. Chavan had later clarified his stand.

Pawar did not name Chavan. He only said the topmost leaders of both parties were capable of taking decisions on such issues of allocation of portfolios. “Others should not meddle in these issues,’’ he said.

He said the bomb blasts in Mumbai were an attack on the country. The issue is of utmost importance for India. Hence, priority should be given to this issue.