'Had I Campaigned, You Would Have...': Ajit Pawar Takes Jibe At Nephew Rohit Pawar — WATCH

The humorous exchange between the two Pawars happened when the two leaders came face-to-face at the memorial of the state's first chief minister Y B Chavan in Karad on his death anniversary.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar took a jibe at nephew NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar on Monday saying that it would have been difficult for his nephew to retain the constituency if he had campaigned from there.

The humorous exchange between the two Pawars happened when the two leaders came face-to-face at the memorial of the state's first chief minister Y B Chavan in Karad on his death anniversary.

"Come, take my blessings. You barely survived (in retaining the seat). Had I held a rally (in Karjat Jamkhed), imagine what would have happened," Ajit Pawar said.

Rohit Pawar then touched his feet. The NCP (SP) leader later told reporters that despite their (political) differences, Ajit Pawar is a father figure to him. 

Rohit Pawar, the grandnephew of NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, retained his Karjat Jamkhed seat in Ahilyanagar district by defeating BJP's Ram Shinde by a thin margin of 1,243 votes in the recent Maharashtra assembly polls.        

The newly elected Karjat Jamkhed MLA accompanied the NCP (SP) head during the latter's visit to the memorial of the state's first chief minister Y B Chavan in Karad on his death anniversary.        

Later, NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar also visited the memorial of Chavan to pay homage to the late leader.        

Speaking after the exchange, Rohit Pawar said, "In the 2019 elections, he (Ajit) helped me immensely and since he is my uncle, it was my responsibility to touch his feet. In this land which belongs to Chavan Saheb, the tradition and values given by him need to be followed and we are doing the same."

When asked about Ajit Pawar's friendly banter, Rohit Pawar said it is true that had his uncle held a rally (in Karjat Jamkhed), things would have been different. 

Meanwhile, when Ajit Pawar was asked about Rohit Pawar seeking his blessings and his remarks on his nephew's victory, the NCP leader said, "Ajit Pawar smilingly said, "I did not say that. I only congratulated him and wished him to do good work ahead."

In the recently-concluded elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly, Ajit Pawar-led NCP performed well winning 41 seats, while the NCP (SP) headed by his uncle put up a dismal show by securing only 10 seats. 

Ajit Pawar retained his Baramati seat by defeating NCP (SP) candidate Yugendra Pawar, who is also his nephew, by a margin of more than one lakh votes.