Pawar, Joshi lock horns in Maharashtra

The verbal duel between senior Congress leader Sharad Pawar, who recently toured Maharashtra to ''expose'' the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance government’s ''shortcomings'', and Chief Minister Manohar Joshi has just begun.

Reacting to Pawar's allegation that Maharashtra is financially bankrupt, Joshi said the Maratha's criticism highlights his frustration. Such mindless observations may affect the state's development, the chief minister said. ''He now has nothing but empty words,'' Joshi said, asking the former chief minister to be a little more responsible.

''Non-resident Indian businessmen and foreign investors will hesitate to invest in the state due to Pawar’s irresponsible speech. He should not spoil Maharashtra's good name just to annoy his political opponents.''

The chief minister, however, agreed that the state was facing a ''financial crunch'' because of the huge investments made in various developmental projects.

''Recession is worldwide, but India is relatively better-off! And Maharashtra still better!'' he said.

Compiled from the Marathi media by Prasanna D Zore