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No compromise, says Pawar

Rebel Congress leader Sharad Pawar today made it clear that there was no question of him compromising on his stand over the foreign nationality issue which, he felt, would only brighten the prospects of the party in the mid-term polls.

Talking to reporters at his residence 'Ramalaya' in South Bombay, Pawar said, ''I have no differences with anyone. I have only demanded the limited issue related to self-respect of the country and expect that it will get proper consideration at the Congress Working Committee."

When asked whether he will apologise to party president Sonia Gandhi as per the demand in the party, he replied in negative. "I have made no mistake but expressed my views which if resolved, will only strengthen the party," he added.

He further insisted that his demand to amend the Constitution be included in the party manifesto which can be implemented after the party wins the elections. This is the overall view of the party leaders even at the CWC level, he stressed, saying that however most of them are not ready to come out openly due to various reasons.

Asked when this impasse will end, the Congress stalwart said, "We have tried to convince the CWC leaders through a discussion and letter. Now we will do our duty to go to people who support our views for the better prospects of the party."

When asked the name he has suggested for the prime ministerial candidate other than Sonia Gandhi, he said there was no need for it as the last elections were fought without projecting any candidate for the highest post. But a foreigner being projected for the prime ministerial post will never be accepted by Indians and the party will ultimately have no future, he cautioned.

When asked to comment on MPCC president Prataprao Bhosale's reaction against him, Pawar said he is the Pradesh Committee president and he has every right to express his views. "I have no comment," he said.

Pawar agreed that he has been talking to party leaders at all levels from the state as well as the country including CWC members, former ministers, MPs and others who, he said, are agitated over Sonia Gandhi being accepted as the prime ministerial candidate by the party.

"I am not competing for the prime ministerial post. The issue I raised is not for my personal interest but for the interest of the party and the country at large," he pointed out.

UNI

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