Maharashtra Congress head Nana Patole on Monday stated that when the two leaders Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar are relatives, what was the need for them to meet "secretly". This statement came against the backdrop of NCP president Sharad Pawar's meeting with his nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in Pune.

Patole said such meetings between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar create confusion among people.  Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, who heads the group of rebel NCP MLAs, met at the residence of a businessman in Pune on Saturday, causing a buzz in Maharashtra political circles.