Four political bigwigs share dais, enter sparring match

It was a rare meeting of four political heavyweights on one dais.

For those who were waiting for the fireworks, it did not quite pan out. But it was not without its share of political byplay either.

Bharatiya Janata Party National General Secretary Gopinath Munde took a dig at the dismal power scenario in the state, Pune in particular, by thanking state Electricity and Education Minister Dilip Walse-Patil for no power cuts during Thursday’s function.

Munde did not spare Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh either, terming him a man of many words and little action.

State Revenue Minister Narayan Rane had a go at Munde and his party asking what the BJP-Shiv Sena combine did when it was in power.

However, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, refused to join sides and tried to calm things down by referring to the friendship Munde and Rane had nurtured all these years .

However, he could not resist to give a piece of ‘advice’ to Munde when he asked him to remain patient. “Munde’s party has patience. They keep on waiting with optimism as they did in the last Assembly elections,” said Pawar.

Pawar, Munde, Rane and Walse-Patil were sharing the dais at the convention of Maharashtra Union of Working Journalists (MUWJ).

Munde started his speech saying, “I am thankful to Walse-Patil that electricity was available throughout the programme.” He then referred to various demands of journalists and said, “At present, I can only raise your demands with the state government. But after five to six months there is every possibility that I could actually fulfill your demand.”

While making this comment, Munde did not spare the chief minister and said, “If he (Vilasrao Deshmukh) would have been at the function he would have promised you about fulfilling your demands. The chief minister doesn’t lag behind in making promises.”

Rane hit back at Munde in his speech. “You had an opportunity (when you were in power) to solve these issues. But you didn’t do anything. I don’t think you will get another opportunity,” he said.

... contd.