Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar takes a jibe at uncle Sharad Pawar over his age

Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar. File Photo

Nationalist Congress Party leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Sunday took a jibe at his uncle Sharad Pawar over his age, saying some people are not ready to retire even though they are 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 Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar while addressing a gathering of party workers in Thane.

Ajit Pawar and some MLAs loyal to him had joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra last July. He subsequently staked a claim to the Nationalist Congress Party's name and poll symbol. The move was challenged in the Election Commission by NCP founder Sharad Pawar.

"We are here to work and we can perform," Ajit Pawar said, adding that he joined the stated government to serve the people whose problems and other issues cannot be solved without power.

In a veiled warning to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange who has announced a march to Mumbai, Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar said nobody will be allowed to take law into his hands.

"A debate on the Maratha community's demand for reservation is underway these days. Some people talk of coming to Mumbai to raise their demand. Nobody will be spared if an attempt is made to take the law into their hand. Nobody is above the law," he added.

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Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party's Latur unit chief has said that the party leader Jitendra Awhad's statement on Lord Ram was his personal opinion and not that of the party.

Awhad, who represents the Mumbra-Kalwa assembly constituency in Thane district, had kicked up a row three days ago with his remark.

"Lord Ram used to hunt and eat. He is ours, of bahujans (a term traditionally used for those not belonging to the priestly or ruling classes). You (an apparent reference to the BJP) are turning us into vegetarians, (but) we are following the example of Ram and consuming mutton," he said at an NCP conclave at Shirdi on January 3.

"It is his personal opinion and not that of the party. Awhad apologised on Thursday," said newly appointed Latur district president of the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party at a press conference. (With inputs from PTI)