While Sharad Pawar was still addressing a press conference at Thane on Saturday and condemning his nephew’s recent remarks, Ajit, the man at the centre of controversy, was preparing to leave for Karad, a small town in Satara district. Before leaving, he spoke with some of his trusted colleagues in Karad, and issued a few instructions to them for Sunday, without disclosing to any of them that he was reaching the town later the same evening, to make amends for his recent ‘blunder.’ According to his close supporters from Pune, he left the city in the evening in a private car, directing his security personnel to stay back. But a few of them insisted on accompanying him.

pulling a fast one: Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar sitting on a one-day strike at Karad to make amends for his recent controversy. Home Minister RR Patil and other NCP activists also joined Pawar. Parjun.