Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, was put in an awkward position after he responded to a woman's suggestion with a blank "Who Parrikar?". The incident occurred on Saturday while Pawar was on a visit to various parts of Pune to speak with residents about their local problems.
During his stop in Keshav Nagar, Hadapsar, residents complained about traffic congestion and other civic issues. Pawar assured them that the administration was aware of their demands and was working to resolve them quickly.
At this point, a woman interrupted him and suggested that he should take a leaf out of the late Manohar Parrikar's book. "The way Parrikar saheb used to make surprise visits (in Goa), you or someone should visit the area during peak traffic hours," she said.
A visibly surprised Pawar cut her off, asking, "Who Parrikar?". The woman had to clarify that she was referring to the former Goa chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader. Clearly agitated, she went on to say that residents were so frustrated with the traffic problems that many were considering moving away.
Manohar Parrikar, a three-time Chief Minister of Goa and former Defence Minister, was known for his administrative skills and simplicity. A graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, he was often seen moving around the state on his scooter to get a first-hand look at local issues. He died of cancer in March 2019. The international airport in Mopa, Goa, and the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) are both named in his honour.
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