``The State Congress unit chief Prataprao Bhosle has already responded to Pawar's statement,'' Deshmukh told a post Cabinet meeting news conference here. Pawar, addressing the two-day NCP State executive meet in Pune last weekend, had alleged that Congress' popularity had reached an all-time low under Sonia's leadership. To a query about NCP leader Tariq Anwar's statement that his party would support BJP on a constitutional amendment seeking to bar persons of foreign origin from assuming high offices, Deshmukh's replied, ``It is a national issue and it is their (NCP's) political stand''.

Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal was also present at the press conference. To a query about a demand from other constituents of Democratic Front (DF) Government that theyshould be consulted before appointing guardian ministers, Deshmukh said, ``A decision in this regard will be taken only after holding discussions with all the coalition partners.'' A steering committee to coordinate among the coalition partners would be set up soon, he said.