Cong downplays Pawar`s remark on party leadership

New Delhi: Congress on Monday downplayed the stinging attack on party leadership by NCP chief Sharad Pawar in the wake of the poll debacle in four states. "We do not talk with our allies through the media....., we do so at an appropriate forum", party spokesman Meem Afzal told reporters.

He said this when asked the Congress reaction over Pawar`s remarks that people "do not want weak rulers" but "strong and decisive" leaders like late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the youth have vent their "anger" through the ballot. Noting that Congress has lost much ground in the assembly elections, Pawar earlier said the polls have raised questions that require serious thinking from "not only the Congress, but the rest of us too", becoming the first UPA leader to speak out his mind after Congress` debacle in four states.