Away from IPL heat, Sharad Pawar back to basics

As the din surrounding the Indian Premier League (IPL) reached a crescendo, on the field and off it, Sharad Pawar, believed to be the man remote-controlling Indian cricket, retreated to the backwaters of coastal Konkan to discuss development.

On a day glamour and cricketing action conjured up a heady concoction at the IPL title clash and 24 hours before the potentially explosive IPL governing council meeting, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president and Union agriculture minister decided to connect with the masses.

“Attending IPL finals was not on Pawar's agenda,” said a confidante. But people close to him and the whole IPL affair believe it is a strategic move from the leader to distance himself from the muck flying around. Pawar is set to take over the top job at the International Cricket Council (ICC) soon.

The weekend beginning Saturday saw Pawar hopping between Ratnagiri and Madah in Konkan region to address political rallies.
On Sunday morning he stopped at pilgrimage centre Ganpati Phule and directed the local authorities to develop the place to promote local tourism. He also justified allocations of more funds for development of Konkan.

While he was at it, his party batted aggressively on his behalf. “Those dragging Pawar and Praful Patel's names into the IPL controversy will get a befitting reply,” said state NCP chief Madhukar Pichhad. “There is a definite design to tarnish the image of NCP and our leaders,” said deputy chief minister and senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal.

On his part, Pawar reiterated neither he nor civil aviation minister Praful Patel had anything to do with the IPL. “We are clean and ready to face any probe,” he said, dismissing the controversy related to the e-mail shared between Patel's office and former minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor.

The NCP, political observes believe, wants to send across the message that the party would not be cowed down by pressure from the centre. A senior minister said, “There is no question of Patel's resignation. He shares excellent rapport with top Congress leaders, including high command Sonia Gandhi. They know where he stands on the IPL issue.” NCP sources said the only concern in the Congress was Lalit Modi.

A close aide, who spent two days with the leader, said, “Pawarsaheb is focussed on the agenda related to the development of Konkan region. I didn't find him tense.”

On Saturday night Pawar held a meeting with party leaders at a guest house in Ratnagiri. The meeting went on well past mid-night, sources said. On Sunday morning, he set off for a rally at Mahad (Raigad ) organised by state finance minister and NCP leader Sunil Tatkare.