Addressing party workers at a meeting were four NCP ministers from Pune district were felicitated, Pawar said that NCP workers did not get adequate time to take the party symbol - clock - to the electorates since the party was formed just two months before the election.

He said all NCP workers were identified with a particular symbol, deeply rooted among the voters over the years and it was difficult for them to convince the voters about the new symbol. The NCP president admitted that the party performance was not up to the expectations.

According to Pawar, several NCP candidates lost the elections because the workers did not show any restrain after announcement of the candidates. He said the workers should realise now that party could not form the government on itsown, which was quiet easy, because of internal dissension.

However, he appealed not to get discouraged because of poll outcome. He argued that his party succeeded in getting second highest votes in Maharashtra within a short period of two months. He also pointed out that the NCP had also been recognised as national party by the Election Commission.

Pawar asked the workers to strengthen the party organisation by accommodating more youths. He said the party's State unit would meet in Pune after Diwali where an elaborate programme would be chalked out to make the party organisation more strong. Pawar said he would personally visit all the talukas in Maharashtra to strengthen the party.

Pawar also asked the workers to maintain restrain while demanding various positions in the government. He said various government positions would be distributed with the view to strengthening the party and added that those districts, which had not got representation in the ministry, would be given priority while makingappointments on the corporations.

Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal admitted that the delay in formation of government had upset the people in Maharashtra. He, however, appealed the people to understand difficulties, being faced by both the parties. He said the 64-member ministry was too high for Maharashtra, forcing the NCP to make the demand for reducing the number of ministers. Bhujbal also made a special request to the media that they should not target the government within a month. "Give us some time," he said and added that government's performance could not be judged within a month. He assured that his government would not give a single opportunity for criticism from the people and media.