Mumbai: Following NCP's defeat in the
Khadakwasla by-election, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader
Ajit Pawar on Tuesday owned up the moral responsibility for his
party's poor performance.
Talking to reporters after a meeting with NCP chief and
Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, he said he took full
responsibility for the defeat.
"After Diwali, we will begin preparations for the
upcoming local bodies elections and work to strengthen the
party at the grass root," Pawar said.
State NCP chief Madhukar Pichad however said the
Khadakwasla defeat was not the only issue that figured in the
discussions with the party chief.
"We discussed preparations for the local bodies polls
and the various divisional meetings to be held next month.
(Sharad) Pawar sought our feedback for the minorities
convention planned in Aurangabad next month," he added.
In a setback to the ruling Congress-NCP combine in
Maharashtra, BJP won the Khadakwasla assembly bypoll in Pune
district yesterday. BJP candidate Bhimrao Tapkir defeated
NCP's Harshada Wanjale, the widow of MNS legislator Ramesh
Wanjale, whose death had necessitated the bypoll.
Ajit Pawar was instrumental in bringing Harshada Wanjale
to NCP fold before the bypoll.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, October 18, 2011, 21:47