Congress on Friday downplayed suggestions that Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar should reduce his responsibilities in the wake of his taking over as the International Cricket Council (ICC) President. "If you have the passion, you can always find time," said party spokesperson Manish Tewari in reply to a number of questions on the issue.
69-year-old Pawar will now have to shoulder twin responsibilities of being a minister and ICC President. The veteran politician maintained that he would be able to handle them with a little help from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"Fortunately, the ICC headquarter is in Dubai and Dubai works on Saturday and Sunday. So, it's a matter of two hours flight. So, I think there won't be any difficulty. Secondly I will discuss with Prime Minister about my responsibilities and will take appropriate decision so that my government work is not affected," he said.
"I may suggest for more hands. I had asked for three ministers but they have given only one. If I request to reduce some of my work, we may find some solution. I won't allow my work in government to suffer," he said. Asked about Pawar's statement, Tewari said it would be better if the question is asked to NCP and its office-bearers.
"I am not reacting to what the Agriculture Minister has said. It is his prerogative to talk to the Prime Minister," Tewari said. He said, "It is collective as well as differentiative responsibilities". Tewari made the same statement a few months back during the controversy over the responsibility for rising prices of foodgrains and vegetables for which Pawar had come under criticism.
Tewari steered clear of questions about allegations of racism in the ICC election, which came to fore after the rejection of John Howard's candidacy for the vice-President's post by the powerful Asian Bloc.
"We do not comment on the politics of cricket. It is not the concern of the INC as a political party. Every election has its own dynamics.....it is left to stakeholders to sort out differences," Tewari said. NCP spokesman D P Tripathi hailed Pawar's election saying it is a matter of national pride that an Indian has become the President of ICC. "We should all rejoice," he said.
Tripathi dismissed as "questionable question" a query on whether Pawar could handle the the new responsibility along with that of the Union Minister. "Pawar is an ICC chief, Union Minister and NCP President. Even if some more responsibilities come his way, he would be able to handle them efficiently," he said. PTI
