'NCP one of most responsible UPA allies': Praful Patel

New Delhi, July 20 (ANI): Asserting that the NCP has been a pillar of strength both inside the government and outside in the functioning of UPA, Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel on Friday said the contents of Sharad Pawar's letter have been misreported, and added that there are some sections of people in the Congress Party attempting to drive a wedge between two old alliance partners.

Patel said that his party would also prepare in a responsible manner for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections along with the UPA.

"There have been some political developments. Some speculation about certain positions Pawar holds in the government. NCP has been one of the most responsible allies of the UPA in the last eight years or so and has been a pillar of strength both inside the government and outside in the functioning of UPA Government. There have been some political issues between NCP and Congress over the years. We have to get ready for elections in 2014," said Patel.

"Government must also be more decisive, more committed to issues which are before the people of the country . With the presence of Pawar, a leader of tall stature, and the UPA along with the able leadership of the Prime Minister we will be able to successfully deal with these issues," he added.

Patel said that some sections inside the Congress were fuelling unnecessary speculation.

"Pawar sent a communication to the Prime Minister raising some issues; unfortunately there has been speculation over the communication. I am very pained that there are some sections in the Congress party that have been wrongly briefing the media. They are trying to drive a wedge between two old alliance partners," he said.

Patel said Pawar wrote to the Prime Minister last evening, raising issues that he wants the government to consider urgently.

"The Prime Minister, on receiving Pawar's communication, spoke to him yesterday. This morning, Sonia Gandhi invited Pawar for a chat. Our party has been discussing issues within for some time. We waited for the presidential elections to get over as a responsible ally," he said.

Patel further said the issue over the number two slot in the UPA has been blown out of proportion.

"The position of Pawar does not depend on the numbers of seats of NCP. By the same logic he should not have been sitting next to Sonia or Pranab. Pawar is not a petty leader to be raising such petty issues," he said.

Both Pawar and Patel skipped a cabinet meeting last evening.

Media reports earlier said that Pawar is extremely perturbed with the fact that after Pranab Mukherjee resigned from the Union Cabinet to contest the presidential election, Defence Minister A.K. Antony occupied the seat next to the Prime Minister at Cabinet meetings, reserved for the second most senior member of the government.

He is also said to be disappointed for not being included in the high-level Cabinet Committee on Security. (ANI)