Addressing the first district-level meeting of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) here on Monday, Pichad expressed confidence that in the near future, NCP leader Pawar would conquer the coveted seat at Delhi.

Bhanudas Murkute, MLA, said that he had often advised Pawar against encouraging Govindrao Adik. Murkute added that therefore now he had asked Pawar how did he feel now when Adik decided to desert Pawar and instead remained with the Congress.

All the speakers at the meeting criticised Congress President Sonia Gandhi, the coterie around her and the so-called party loyalists from Maharashtra. All of them claimed that the Congress will suffer a rout in all parts of the state.

Former MP Prasad Tanpure said that by opposing a foreign-born as a prime minister, Pawar had gave vent to the feelings of people.Others who attended the meet included NCP district chief Dada Kalamkar, former MP Dada Patil Shelke, MLAs Pandurang Abhang, Babanrao Pachpute and Vasantrao Zaware.