Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar took a fresh jibe at his uncle and Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar, saying some people were not willing to retire from politics even in their 80s.
"Employees of Maharashtra government retire at the age of 58. Most people normally stop their active professional life after turning 75. But there are a few (Sharad Pawar) who, even after crossing 80 years of age and now 84, are not ready to retire," said Ajit Pawar while addressing a gathering of party workers in Thane district.
Ajit and Sharad Pawar have been at loggerheads ever since the former, along with some MLAs loyal to him, joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government in the state in July last year, leading the NCP to a vertical split.
Ajit subsequently staked a claim to the NCP’s name and poll symbol, but the move was challenged in the Election Commission by party founder Sharad Pawar.
Ajit said he joined the government as he believed that people’s problems and other issues cannot be resolved without power.
"We are here to work and we can perform. If we are wrong somewhere let us know. We have so much potential. I have been the Deputy Chief Minister of the state many times. We have made many schemes successful," he said.
Interestingly, Ajit’s revolt against his uncle had come just two months after Sharad Pawar’s announcement that he was planning to retire from politics, and his retraction from the decision within days following protests by party workers.
Ajit, in his speech on Sunday, also appealed to the NCP workers to unite ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, showcasing party’s strength in the district, and supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's candidacy for a third term.
