Ajit defends rebellion against Pawar in Baramati stronghold

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday held a rally in the Pawar family stronghold of Baramati and defended his decision to break ranks with uncle Sharad Pawar, saying that "some decisions are taken out of compulsion" for the general good of the people.

- Surendra P Gangan and Abhay Khairnar

Ajit, who is an MLA from Baramati, also held a roadshow en route to the rally venue, where he did not directly attack Pawar but said that he joined the Eknath Shinde-led government for the development of Maharashtra.

"There are emotions and faith, but some decisions are taken out of compulsion. I will not break the faith of Barmatikars. The only reason I joined the government of Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis was for the development of Maharashtra. I never wanted to insult anybody ever, I just accepted the reality," he said.