India, Feb. 18 -- Nationalist Congress Party/NCP (Sharad Pawar) state president Jayant Patil dismissed speculation about a possible switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), expressing disappointment over such reports. Speaking at the inauguration of a new building at the Rajarambapu Institute of Technology (RIT) in Islampur, where union minister for road transport Nitin Gadkari was the chief guest, Patil took a dig at the media.

"I request journalists not to write that Gadkari is joining the NCP (SP). The credibility of news reports defines the stature of journalism, and I leave that to you," Patil said sarcastically. He referred to recent reports suggesting his shift to the BJP which he said had been debated at both state and nationa...