New Delhi: Despite the meeting sparking a
controversy, NCP on Monday justified party chief Sharad Pawar's
discussion with Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on the IPL
tournament contending that in a democracy dialogue and
discussion are important.
NCP spokesman D P Tripathi said Pawar had met Thackeray
along with BCCI chief Shashank Manohar to convince the Sena
supremo about holding of the IPL matches in Mumbai and there
was no political import to the meeting.
"In democracy we persuade people through discussion and
dialogue," Tripathi said.
At the same time he agreed with Maharashtra Chief
Minister Ashok Chavan that there was no extra-constitutional
authority.
Tripathi also insisted that persuasion is far more
important than coercion in a democratic state.
PTI
First Published: Monday, February 08, 2010, 18:21