Senior politician Sharad Pawar seems to have fallen short to understand Rahul Gandhi, Maharashtra minister Balasaheb Thorat said on Monday, days after the NCP chief reportedly observed that the former Congress president apparently lacked consistency.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Thorat, who heads the state Congress unit, also praised Rahul Gandhi for "emerging out of a personal crisis and leading the party".
In an interview to a Marathi daily, Mr Pawar had reportedly said Rahul Gandhi appeared to lack consistency.
Mr Thorat said Rahul Gandhi has acceptability in the Congress and the party is getting organised under his leadership.
He alleged that "some machineries of the BJP have been targeting Rahul Gandhi".
"But, Rahulji will lead us successfully...We accept the seniority of honourable Pawar saheb. But he has fallen short in understanding Rahul ji it seems," Mr Thorat added.
Mr Pawar's comments seem to have not gone down well with the Congress, which is a constituent in the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government along with the NCP.
On Saturday, state minister and Congress leader Yashomati Thakur said constituents of the MVA dispensation should stop commenting on the Congress leadership if they want a "stable" government in the state. When asked about Thakurs comments, Mr Thorat said, she said what the Congressmen felt about Pawar saheb's remarks".
Opinion: Opinion | Congress' Incessant EVM Bashing Is An Attack On Constitution Too Rahul Gandhi Has UK Citizenship, Claims Petitioner. Home Ministry Says This Sharad Pawar's Big Symbol Charge Against Ajit Pawar After Maharashtra Rout Air India Pilot, 25, Dies By Suicide In Mumbai, Boyfriend Arrested Maharashtra Chief Minister To Be From BJP, Will Have 2 Deputies: Sources Two Drunk Fliers, Two Supreme Court Judges And 30-Minute Mid-Air Drama Boy, 16, Stabbed To Death Over Social Media Comment, 2 Minors Arrested Petition Claims Temple Under Ajmer Dargah, Court Issues Notice Released From Jail, Prisoner Breaks Into A Dance In UP, Video Viral Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.