Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister, on Wednesday took a dig at his uncle Sharad Pawar, the head of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), telling him to step aside and allow the younger generation an opportunity. He said that even BJP leaders retire at the age of 75.
The younger Pawar also blamed the 82-year-old Sharad Pawar Pawar for NCP’s failure to secure the position of Maharashtra’s chief minister in 2014, despite having the support of the majority of MLAs.
“You portrayed me as a villain in front of everyone. I still have deep respect for him (Sharad Pawar)…But you tell me, IAS officers retire at 60…even in politics – BJP leaders retire at 75. You can see the example of LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi…That allows the new generation to rise…”
“You (Sharad Pawar) give us your blessings…The other day, he went to YB Chavan memorial…I have also been there…but you are 83, aren’t you going to stop?…Give us your blessings and we will pray that you live a long life,” said the Deputy chief minister while addressing party legislators and other workers in Bandra here.
