Those he groomed proved their mettle: Sharad Pawar hits back at Saamana

Pune: Sharad Pawar, who decided to continue leading NCP, said on Tuesday that he did not give importance to Shiv Sena mouthpiece saamana’s criticism of him over not ‘grooming a successor’.

Shiv Sena (UBT)’s publication on Monday alleged that Pawar failed to groom a successor who could take his party ahead.

Pawar hit back saying that he did not care what others write about him, adding those he groomed already proved their mettle, The Indian Express reported.

Reacting to Saamana’s criticism, Pawar told reporters in Satara that the party did not ‘attach importance to what people write’ on the question of grooming a successor.

Pawar explained how he created a new leadership for the party after it formation in 1999 when it came to power along with the Congress.

When it wanted a ministry, the party picked up people like Jayanti Patil, Ajit Pawar, RR Patil, Dilip Walse-Patil, Anil Deshmukh, among others according to the report.

Pawar further said that Maharashtra has seen each of these leaders proving their mettle, and added that the party did not given importance to what others write about it.

‘Our party colleagues present their own views, but we don’t make those views public. It is an issue which belongs to our family. Every colleague of ours knows how our party will move forward. Our colleagues are confident about how we create new leadership,’ he reportedly said.

Meanwhile, Saamana Executive Editor Sanjay Raut said that editorial expressed its view, adding that there was no criticism of the NCP chief.

Meanwhile, Pawar came down on Prithviraj Chavan, who while campaigning in Nipani took a dig at NCP’s ‘perceived dalliance’ with the BJP.

Pawar asked ‘Where does Prithviraj Chavan stand in Congress?’

NCP president explained why he chose to continue lead NCP, saying that he had back his resignation following requests from people.