<p>NCP chief Sharad Pawar has said that many ministers in the Shiv Sena-led coalition government in Maharashtra do not belong to political families and have earned their position purely on merit.</p>.<p>Pawar made the statement on Sunday night in Kalwa area of Thane district while felicitating local MLA and Cabinet minister Jitendra Awhad.</p>.<p>"Those who lacked any family background in politics became ministers in the Vikas Aghadi government purely on merit," he said.</p>.<p>Notably, 19 of the total 43 ministers in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government are dynasts.</p>.<p>On the occasion, Pawar praised Awhad for doing "wonderful" work in his Kalwa-Mumbra constituency.</p>.<p>During his speech, Pawar hailed late Yashwantrao Chavan, the first chief minister of Maharashtra, for grooming him in politics.</p>.<p>The NCP chief also said that Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray had always supported him. </p>
<p>NCP chief Sharad Pawar has said that many ministers in the Shiv Sena-led coalition government in Maharashtra do not belong to political families and have earned their position purely on merit.</p>.<p>Pawar made the statement on Sunday night in Kalwa area of Thane district while felicitating local MLA and Cabinet minister Jitendra Awhad.</p>.<p>"Those who lacked any family background in politics became ministers in the Vikas Aghadi government purely on merit," he said.</p>.<p>Notably, 19 of the total 43 ministers in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government are dynasts.</p>.<p>On the occasion, Pawar praised Awhad for doing "wonderful" work in his Kalwa-Mumbra constituency.</p>.<p>During his speech, Pawar hailed late Yashwantrao Chavan, the first chief minister of Maharashtra, for grooming him in politics.</p>.<p>The NCP chief also said that Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray had always supported him. </p>