
NCP supremo Sharad Pawar held a closed-door meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil and other Cabinet members. Deshmukh said Pawar had discussed Central government aid for drought-hit districts with them. An hour after Pawar left, Rane arrived for a tea party hosted by Deshmukh.
Pawar’s visit came close on the heels of Congress leader Margaret Alva’s visit on Saturday. Unconfirmed reports indicate Rane has sought a Cabinet berth in the government.


