Not old yet, can still "straighten some people out": Sharad Pawar

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said on Sunday that he has not grown old and still possesses the ability to "straighten some people out."
 

Remark Comes After Family Rift

The veteran politician made the feisty remark at a bullock cart race event organised for his 83rd birthday in Pune district. This comes months after his nephew Ajit Pawar defected from the NCP in July, criticizing that Pawar was too old to lead the party.
 

Show of Strength

"All of you in your speeches keep stressing I am 83, I am 84. What have you seen? I have not become old. I have the power to straighten some people out," Pawar asserted.

The race was held in Chakoli village to mark the former Union Agriculture Minister's birthday on December 12.
 

Support to farming community

Pawar added that such rural sporting events boost farmers' confidence. He accused the government of not caring for farmers, citing export bans on onions as an anti-farmer policy.

The NCP chief's spirited proclamations have been seen as a show of strength against detractors during recent family disputes and ahead of key state elections.