Former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's son Utpal on Monday described as insensitive NCP chief Sharad Pawar's remark that the late leader relinquished his post at the Centre and returned to Goa because he did not agree with the Rafale fighter jet deal. In a statement issued, Mr Utpal said the Parrikar family was saddened to read Mr Pawar's remarks.

Cricket Sachin Tendulkar called on NCP chief Sharad Pawar at his residence 'Silver-Oak' in Mumbai. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said it was "courtesy-call" and two did not discuss politics during meeting that lasted for around half-an-hour. Amid demand that India should not play Pakistan even during coming World-Cup after Pulwama-incident, Tendulkar had said he would hate to gift two-points to Pakistan by not playing.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar and BSP president Mayawati's opting out of the Lok Sabha polls is a clear indication of a certain victory for the NDA, the Shiv Sena said Friday. It also claimed Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would spoil the game for the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh, reasoning the vote bank of the Congress and Mayawati is similar.