India, Dec. 11 -- Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday flew to Delhi to attend an advance celebration of his uncle and NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar's birthday, held at the latter's residence at 6 Janpath. Senior leaders and MPs from across the political spectrum were invited, and Ajit was accompanied by his colleague and NCP working president Praful Patel. The veteran leader will turn 85 on December 12.

The development comes days after Ajit skipped the wedding of Yugendra Pawar, son of his elder brother Shrinivas Pawar, who contested the assembly elections against him. This was followed by Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule giving a miss to the wedding of Ajit's younger son, Jay, in Bahrain.

When contacted, Anand Paranjpe, ...