Pawar, drenched in rain, admits NCP's 'Mistake'

As the Maharashtra assembly elections near, a video of NCP chief Sharad Pawar drenched in rain and admitting his “mistake” in choosing candidates for the national elections in Satara has gone viral on social media and accolades poured on him, a day after PM Modi attacked him for not “having courage” to contest Lok Sabha polls from the constituency.

The NCP chief apologised to the crowd for fielding Shivaji Maharaj's descendant Udayanraje Bhosale from Satara, who later quit the party ahead of the October 21 polls and joined the BJP.

The rally had barely started late on Friday when

heavy rain started battering the venue, taking the organisers and attendees by surprise, and some even contemplated cancelling the crucial public meeting. But, undeterred by the sudden torrential rain, Pawar stepped to the dais and launched a blistering attack on the ruling BJPShiv Sena government in the Centre and state. Senior party leaders on the stage, who initially fumbled, quickly settled down and even seemed to warm up to enjoy Pawar's BJP-bashing in the lashing rain. At times, the 78-year-old Pawar's voice seemed to quiver as the shivering cold rainwater drenched his trademark white shirt and pants. "This is Varun Raja (Rain God Varun)'s blessings for the NCP... It will lead to a 'miracle' in the state, and that wonder will start from October 21... I am confident," said Pawar, making an emotional connect that was reciprocated with a thunderous applause overshadowing the raging thunderstorm.