Pawar's remarks not befitting his stature: Munde

Mumbai, May 27 (UNI) Taking exception to certain remarks by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar against him, senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde has said such remarks are not befitting a national leader of Mr Pawar's stature.

Mr Pawar, while addressing a press conference here yesterday, had countered Mr Munde's allegation that he was concentrating more on cricket than agriculture, by saying that cricket was a recreational activity for him and gave him peace of mind, and he looked into cricket issues only on weekends.

Other people find recreation in visiting Chaufula, Mr Pawar had remarked. Chaufula in Pune, incidentally, is famed for ''tamasha'' theatres and Mr Munde's association with a ''tamasha'' artiste had come to the fore few years ago. Mr Pawar's remarks apparently alluded to this association.

Mr Munde said Mr Pawar's remarks were in bad taste and made to divert attention from the major issue, that of the problems of sugarcane growers.

Mr Munde had, earlier, while accusing Mr Pawar of neglecting the agriculture sector and concentrating more on cricket, said Mr Pawar should be divested of the agriculture portfolio and made the sports minister.

UNI