"The issue, which involves the pride of the nation, its image and principle will be taken up at the party forum and outside," Pawar announced, adding he would not quit the party. "I will be happy if the party discusses the issue," he said.

Pawar said he would not attend the extended CWC meeting convened on Wednesday in the capital due to pre-engagement. "How to take up the issue at the party forum and various other forums will be decided only after discussing with Sangma, Anwar, and others," he said.

He made it clear that there was no question of him compromising on his stand over the foreign nationality issue which, he felt, would only brighten the prospects of the party in the background of the mid-term polls.He said: "I have no differences with anyone. I have only demanded the limited issue related to self-respect of the country and expect that it will get proper consideration at the CWC."

When asked whether he will apologise to the party president Sonia Gandhi as per the demand in the party, he replied in the negative. "I have made no mistake but expressed my views which, if resolved, will only strengthen the party," he added.

He insisted that his demand to amend the constitution be included in the party manifesto, which can be implemented after the party wins the elections. This is the overall view of the party leaders even at the CWC level, he stressed. However, most of them are not ready to come out openly due to various reasons, he added.

Pawar, who was closeted with a large number of his supporters at the YB Chavan Centre situated at the arms length from Mantralaya, made it clear that he along with P Sangma and Tariq Anwar had not demanded Sonia Gandhi's resignation nor they had sought any positions."I still feel Sonia Gandhi should continue as party president. In fact, I was one of them who had appealed to her to take up this rsponsibility last year," he recalled.

Pawar, however, said that assuming presidentship of the Congress party was different from Prime Ministership of the country. He refuted allegations levelled by Congress leaders of working hand in gloves with the BJP on the "videshi" issue and said that in fact he was of the view that the Congress could have taken the wind out from the BJP's campaign on this issue by including it in its manifesto. "I sincerely feel the issues raised by me are for strengthening the party," he opined.

Pawar lashed out at psychofants within the party and phoo-phooed the mad rush for submitting resignations. He alleged that the mass leaders had been neglected in the party. Leaders without grassroots support have been advising the high command by camping at the party headquarters.