Date:01/11/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/11/01/stories/2004110104581101.htm

National

Pawar denies any heartburns in his party

By Our Special Correspondent

ANAND (GUJARAT), OCT. 31. The Agriculture Minister and Nationalist Congress Party president, Sharad Pawar, today described as "unfortunate'' his failure to convince the Congress in the tussle for Chief Ministership in Maharashtra.

In a brief chat with mediapersons here, Mr. Pawar, however, denied that there was any heartburns in his party. It was unfortunate that the NCP could not make the Congress see his party's viewpoint on the issue. But now that the issue had been settled, he was a "happy man.''

Asked whether he was consulted by the Congress on selection of the Chief Minister, Mr. Pawar said it was not necessary.

The NCP had conceded the chief ministerial post to the Congress and it was that party's internal matter.

Cabinet berths

Once the issue was settled, the NCP would not be asking for more berths in the Cabinet. It, however, would take up with the Congress the question of accommodating the Republican Party of India in the Cabinet as the NCP had promised that party in this connection.

Policy on wastelands

Earlier, speaking at the 59th foundation day of the Amul cooperative milk dairy here, Mr. Pawar called for strengthening the cooperative sector.

He also advised the farmers to shift to drip irrigation as water was scarce in the country. He said a policy would be framed in a month or two for utilising wastelands for horticulture.