Speaking to media persons here on Friday, Tirpude pointed out the recent statement of NCP treasurer and staunch Pawar loyalist, Datta Meghe, that he (Meghe) did not consider the BJP as an `untouchable', itself proved that there would be a tacit understanding between them in the coming elections. Meghe's statement had exposed the falsity of Pawar's claim of maintaining equidistance from the Congress and the BJP. The raising by the Sangh Parivar of the issue of foreign origin of Sonia Gandhi has also established that there was a nexus between Pawar and the BJP, he said.

Lashing out at the Maratha strongman, he said that Pawar was never considered as a trusted politician and it was pointedout to the party high command several times. ``I have been telling this to the party leadership for the last two decades,'' Tirpude said, and felt that it was good that the Congress was purified after the exit of Pawar and his gang.

Tirpude took a strong exception to the reported statement of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh that the Maratha warlord would eventually return to the Congress after losing an election or two. This indicates that the Singh has a soft corner for Pawar.``Poison can be tasted once, not twice,'' Tirpude said citing Pawar's repeated `betrayal' of the Congress leadership. It was Pawar who was responsible for marginalising veteran Congress leader Yashwantrao Chavan in Delhi. ``Chavan, who considered Pawar as his foster son, was trapped by the ambitious politics of Pawar,'' he alleged.

He said that the MP Chief Minister could continue his `friendship' with Pawar privately but should refrain from making such statements which would indirectly help Pawar and his supporters.