Cong hope: Pawar will manage dual duty
Both the Congress and the NCP on Friday tried to scotch the rumours that agriculture, food and consumer affairs minister Sharad Pawar’s wings would be clipped in the next Cabinet reshuffle by asking him to shed his ministerial responsibility in the wake of his taking over as the International Cricket Council (ICC) president.
The Congress on its part said, if there is a will there is a way and hoped that Mr Pawar will be able to manage with his multiple responsibilities.
The NCP too rejected the suggestion by claiming that its leader “would be able to handle his ministerial task” with a little help from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
“Yadi apamein kam karne ka jajba ho to phir samay nil hi jata hai (If you have the passion, you can always find time),” AICC spokesperson Manish Tiwari said, while replying to a number of questions on the issue.
Mr Pawar, 69, who will now have to shoulder twin responsibilities of being a minister and the ICC president, has been criticised even in the past that he was not concentrating on his job and the prices were going up.
Clarifying personally on the issue Mr Pawar said, “Fortunately, the ICC headquarters is in Dubai and Dubai works on Saturday and Sunday. So, it’s a matter of two hours flight. So, I think there won’t be any difficulty. Secondly, I will discuss with the Prime Minister about my responsibilities and will take appropriate decision so that my government work is not affected.” He said he might ask for more hands (in the ministry).
He also recalled that he had asked for three ministers (of state) but had been given only one.
Post new comment