"Sharad Pawar's political moves are aimed at proving his nuisance value. The NCP chief's 40-year political career shows that he plays games with those with whom he is politically close. Pawar has betrayed those with whose political blessings he surged ahead," Mandlik, a four-term MP from Kolhapur, said.
Mandlik said in a statement that the NCP's posturing was part of its "pressure tactics" to divert public attention from the Opposition's corruption allegations against several state NCP leaders.
The MP claimed several leaders in the country were disturbed by the news of Rahul Gandhi becoming the Congress' face in 2014 polls.
"At a time when the country is reeling under drought, Pawar, who calls himself farmers' leader, is busy in political moves," said Mandlik, who quit NCP in March, 2009.
Mandlik had won Lok Sabha election in 2009 as an independent and joined Congress last year.
