Under fire from the Opposition forhis insensitive remarks on drought and load-shedding,Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar today tenderedapology in both Houses of the state legislature whichwitnessed uproarious scenes and repeated adjournments.
Pawar's coarse humour at a public meeting on Saturdayhad the Opposition up in arms against him in the LegislativeAssembly and Council, forcing the Deputy Chief Minister toissue a personal clarification apologising for his remarks.
"My comments on Saturday were not directed towardsdrought-affected people and I had no intention to hurtanybody's sentiments. I hope my comments will not affectdrought relief measures which will continue vigorously," hesaid in the Assembly, where the Opposition twice forcedadjournment of the proceedings.
Ajit, nephew of Union Agriculture Minister and NCPchief Sharad Pawar, admitted he should have chosen his wordscarefully.
"The statement made by me on Saturday, April 6, 2013,during a programme was not intended towards the drought-affected people. Also, it was never my intention to hurtanybodys sentiments," Pawar told the Legislative Councilwhere too he came under severe attack by the Opposition.
"It is true that I should have spoken responsibly,"said Pawar, adding since the sentiments of the people andlegislators had been hurt, "I apologise to all".
"We are committed to providing water to the drought-affected people, fodder for the cattle and fee-waiverfor the students," he said, as the furious Oppositiondisrupted the proceedings, forcing the chair to adjournproceedings thrice.
"If there is no water in the dam...Should we urinateinto it?," he had said in an insensitive comment at a functionat Indapur near Pune that kicked up a controversy in the statereeling under severe drought.
The NCP leader followed it up with another remarkpoking fun at load-shedding in the state, saying, "I havenoticed that more children are being born since the lights gooff at night. There is no other work left then."
NCP boss Sharad Pawar too today apologised for thecontroversial comments by his nephew, terming them as"unwanted".
"I duly apologise on the behalf of Deputy CM ofMaharashtra for the unwanted comment that he had made," hesaid on micro-blogging site Twitter.