Zee Media Bureau
Mumbai: In yet another indication of souring ties between the NCP and the Congress – coalition partners in Maharastra – Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has slammed state`s Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan`s style of functioning.
Reports, Thursday, claimed that the fresh round of war of words between the two parties started after NCP chief Pawar hit out at Chavan`s way of functioning while addressing a function in Pune to launch a book written by late chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Wednesday.
Pawar, known for his `political timing`, said, "It seems that of late, the hands of those in the administration are suffering from paralysis resulting in delayed clearance of files in the absence of signatures of approval...I won`t say more because we have to run a coalition government."
Stung by the dig, Prithviraj Chavan was prompt in hitting back.
Speaking to reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said, "It was not files related to public interest or policy decision that get delayed. The ones getting delayed were either out of norms or in individual interests."
The Chief Minister, who wore a smile on his face in anticipation of questions over Pawar`s barb, said works within norms were completed immediately.
Chavan stated that priority was for work concerning common people and extra caution had to be taken for works outside norms or in personal interest.
However, the Maharshtra chief minister went ahead and said, "An appropriate response will be given at an appropriate time and place."
The two stalwarts have locked horns earlier too.
Since Chavan`s appointment as Chief Minister in 2010, the political relationship between the NCP and the Congress has soured.
Pawar`s sour relations with the Chavan family date back to the days of Chavan`s mother`s Premlakaki Chavan during her stint in the Congress party.
