A broom in hand, Sharad Pawar responds to Narendra Modi's cleanliness drive

PUNE: Extending his support to BJP beyond Maharashtra legislature, NCP chief Sharad Pawar today took a broom in his hands in a gesture signalling a new found bonhomie between the two parties.

Pawar, accompanied by his family members who included his daughter and MP Supriya Sule, former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar as well as party general secretary DP Tripathi, swept a road in his hometown Baramati in full glare of cameras which seemed to drive home the message of 'Swachh Bharat' of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government.

However, in an effort to stamp NCP's distinct identity in the drive, Pawar had, in a press conference held here a few days back, announced that his party activists would undertake the cleanliness drive in view of the rampant dengue cases in Maharashtra.

"We have started the cleanliness campaign today and photos are taken. But we have to ensure that streets are not littered with garbage tomorrow," he said after launching the campaign in Baramati.