As Rohit Pawar’s says he is ‘upset,’ Supriya Sule downplays his remarks

Rohit said he could not attend an important party meeting because he was not well. ”I was not well and therefore I could not attend the meeting. I will not able to reveal what transpired at the meeting. However, till now I have not been given any responsibility. Similarly, I do not know what responsibility I have been given. Since I have not been given the responsibility, I am upset…that is not the issue,” he said.

Rohit said it is time to put up a fight. ”It’s time we put up a fight. For seven years, I have been fighting on behalf of the party. But some leaders feel I fall below their expectations. Maybe because of this they have taken the decision…Maybe tomorrow they plan to take an important decision…I will not be able to tell what happened at the meeting. As an MLA whether I have the support of the party or not, I will continue to fight in the interest of the ordinary man. Most importantly, I have the support of Sharad Pawar,” he said.

Without mentioning state party chief Jayant Patil with whom he is reportedly not on good terms, Rohit said he will not speak personally about anyone. ”The question is whether I am upset. Yes, I am upset and so is entire Maharashtra. They are upset on Maharashtra government and the Opposition MVA. Why are they upset with the government? Because the government is not taking steps to resolve their grievances. And why are they upset with the opposition. Because the opposition is not raising their voice and fighting on their behalf. I request all leaders in the opposition including those who have been ministers in the past to raise their voice against the government. They should not remain silent….And that is why Maharashtra is upset, and I am also upset.”

Underplaying Rohit’s open criticism, Sule said, “The media was selectively showing Rohit’s bytes. Rohit and other party leaders have criticised the government on several fronts which is being ignored…Rohit is not upset…”