Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar was heavily criticized for his comment on the draught situation in the state back in 2013.

Ajit Pawar was addressing a meeting in Indapur. He mocked Bhaiyya Deshmukh, a farmer on a hunger strike from Solapur. Deshmukh was reportedly demanding water for the draught affected area.

“He has been fasting for the last 55 days. If there is no water in the dam, how can we release it? Should we urinate into it? If there is no water to drink, even urination is not possible,” Pawar said.

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“I have noticed that more children are being born since the lights go off at night. There is no other work left then,” he added referring to the load shedding situation in some places of Maharashtra.

The comments didn't go down well and were termed as "insensitive" and “unbecoming” of a deputy chief minister. He issued an apology

“We are committed to provide water, fodder and other relief measures like exam fee waivers to drought-hit citizens. I will continue making sincere efforts to extend all possible help to the drought-hit. While my comments in Indapur were not regarding the drought crisis, I apologise if public sentiments have been hurt by these," he said.

Ajit Pawar, today, after unprecedented events in the state have joined hands with the BJP and have sworn in as Devendra Fadnavis's deputy.

However, Sharad Pawar said that Ajit Pawar's decision to support the BJP to form the Maharashtra government is his personal decision and not that of the NCP. Ajit Pawar's decision is against the party line and is indiscipline. No NCP leader or worker is in favour of an NCP-BJP government, NCP chief added.