Comments about Congress-NCP face is my personal opinion: Ajit Pawar

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar today said his comments that the ruling Congress-NCP combine in the state should declare its leader ahead of assembly polls was his personal opinion.

"My comments (about leadership) is my personal opinion. I have right to express my personal opinion," he told reporters at a joint press conference with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on the eve of the Legislature session beginning tomorrow.

Chavan tried to downplay the controversy caused by last minute cancellation of the swearing in ceremony today. "No formal invitations were sent...I will inquire into what happened," Chavan said. On MNS chief Raj Thackeray's announcement to contest Assembly polls, Chavan said, "It's good that people are facing electorate instead of backseat driving. Let's see."

Attempts are on to trace persons behind posting objectionable images in social media, Chavan said in response to a query on the incidents arising out of maligning Shivaji Maharaj and Bal Thackeray on Facebook. "We will go to the bottom of the issue and find out who is trying to disturb social harmony," Chavan said.