Going back a long way

Contrary to perception, NCP chief Sharad Pawar enjoys a convivial relationship with UPA presidential nominee Pratibha Patil. Many had sought to paint a picture of hostility. After all she was leader of the Opposition when Pawar became Maharashtra CM for the first time in 1979. But the two became close when Pawar was engaged in a tussle with P V Narasimha Rao for the post of Prime Minister in 1991. Suresh Kalmadi, then a Pawar loyalist, had organised a dinner for senior Congress leaders and MPs to assess Pawar8217;s strength vis-agrave;-vis Rao8217;s. Pratibha Patil had attended the dinner and had clearly thrown her weight behind Pawar, reveal some Congressmen.