Sharad Pawar: I am leading UPA is not true. Media is spreading false news

There are discussion in the political circles that NCP chief Sharad Pawar is likely to be appointed as the Chairperson of UPA. Pawar will be celebrating his 80th birthday on December 12. 

Over the past few days speculations have intensified over the NCP chief's taking over the leadership of the opposition UPA alliance from Congress president Sonia Gandhi. 

Veteran politician Sharad Pawar on Friday dismissed as "false news" any talk about him taking over the leadership of the opposition UPA alliance from Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Mr Pawar has denied all these reports and his NCP party has put out a clarification and said such talk was floated as a diversion from the massive farmer protests near Delhi.

"That I am leading UPA is not true. Media is spreading false news," said Sharad Pawar, who turns 80 tomorrow.

Even before Mr Pawar's denial today, his NCP had put out a clarification and said such talk was floated as a diversion from the massive farmer protests near Delhi.

"The Nationalist Congress Party would like to clarify that there is no discussion within UPA partners regarding any such proposal," NCP chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said on Thursday.

"The reports appearing in the media seems to be have planted by vested interests to divert the attention from the ongoing farmers' agitation," he added.