UPA will hold together even in defeat: Pawar

Pawar said Rahul was doing “very well” during the campaign, travelling a lot and addressing public meetings, but felt he should have joined the government. 

“If he had joined as a minister in the government, he would have got better experience and people would have seen him perform. But I think he missed the bus. Dr Manmohan Singh had openly invited him,” he said.

Asked if Rahul Gandhi will be able to effectively tackle challenges from an aggressive BJP-led administration of Narendra Modi should he become the prime minister, Pawar answered in the affirmative.

He said any aggressive assault on Congress will help it revive faster.

“First of all I don't believe Modi will become the Prime Minister. Suppose that happens and there is an aggressive assault on Congress, the party will revive like anything because Congressmen will collectively fight, come what may,” he said.