He said by bringing the issue out he had actually taken the wind out of sails of the BJP and its poll campaign. On his inability to garner more support from the party leaders Pawar said, "I have been discussing the issue with party leaders for a long period and I know their mind set. I will try to persuade them even if they are not coming out in open at the moment", he said.

Addressing a press conference in Pune, Pawar said he had merely articulated the fears and views of many of his partycolleagues and many Indians and put it before the party. Pawar remained firm on the point that there needed to be a debate about whether a person of foreign origin could occupy the chair of the either the President, Vice President or Prime Minister of the country.

On his future strategy Pawar said he was awaiting the return of PS Sangma to the country following which they would discuss the future course of action. He, however, said he had no plans to meet the Congress party president Sonia Gandhi or attend the CWC meetings for now.

When pointed out that his demand had already been rejected by the CWC, Pawar said he would wait till the party finalises its manifesto and would ultimately go to the people.