India, Nov. 8 -- A day after the Pune land controversy linked to his son shook the political establishment, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar appeared to have recovered his composure. In damage-control mode on Friday, Pawar, who is also NCP chief, said the controversial land deal in Mundhwa, Pune, had been cancelled.

"The land deal has been cancelled. Not a single rupee has been paid as part of the deal, yet some people quoted big figures," said Pawar.

"From the information now available, it is clear that this was only an agreement to buy land. No payment has been made by Parth (Pawar's son), his company Amadea, or by any member of my family to the seller, and the land has not been taken into possession. Therefore, the transaction has no...