I take full responsibility for NCP’s poor performance: Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday took full responsibility for the Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections and said that the defeat in the Baramati constituency, considered a prestige battle, was surprising. Addressing a press conference after a meeting of his party MLAs, Pawar said all the MLAs are firmly with him and dismissed speculations that some MLAs are planning to join the Sharad Pawar-led faction. He said, “The opposition can say anything. I have always had the support of the people. My MLAs, MLCs have assured me that they will always stand with me.” His wife Sunetra Pawar was defeated by sitting MP Supriya Sule by a huge margin in Baramati. The Deputy Chief Minister said about this, “The result is surprising, because I always got the support of the people there.” When asked whether he would join hands with NCP founder Sharad Pawar once again, he said that he accepts responsibility for the electoral defeat. He said, “There is no need to talk about family matters publicly.