Home India Politics Pawar apologizes, but opposition wants him out

Pawar apologizes, but opposition wants him out

By IANS,

Mumbai : Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Monday again apologized for his widely condemned comments on drought-hit areas but a fuming opposition insisted that he be sacked.

The uproar in the legislature forced as many as five adjournments during the day. The house was finally adjourned for the day.

When the house assembled, all opposition parties demanded Pawar’s resignation for his remarks Sunday at Indapur in Pune which they termed as “shameful” and “objectionable”.

National Congress Party’s Pawar shot off his mouth Sunday when he was asked to comment about protests in the drought-hit regions of Maharashtra.

“Who is that (Bhaisaheb) Deshmukh? What is the point of his protest? Will it yield water? When there is no water, where will I arrange water from? Should I urinate in the dams?” Pawar asked.

The shocking remark triggered disgust and protests across the state.

Pawar also said: “The population is increasing due to load shedding as people have nothing to do when there is no electricity.”

On Sunday evening, Pawar offered an apology but the opposition refused to forgive him.

On Monday, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan faced a virtual gherao as Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena and other opposition legislators waved banners and carried placards that read: No Apology, Only Resignation!

Sensing the mood of the house, Pawar offered yet another apology but the opposition insisted that he quit the ministry.