India, Jan. 1 -- Murlidhar Mohol, minister of state for civil aviation and Pune MP, on Thursday, launched a sharp attack on Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, for allotting tickets to candidates with criminal backgrounds for the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections, even as his party faces a similar charge.

Mohol said Pawar's stand during the civic polls contradicted his public statements as the district guardian minister of Pune.

"Ajit Pawar has repeatedly spoken against the 'koyta gang' and other criminal elements and has directed the police to take strict action against them. However, during the municipal elections, the NCP has given tickets to candidates with criminal backgro...