The opposition has attacked Pawar for his insensitive comments. Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray and BJP leader Vinod Tawde said it was a cruel joke on the drought-hit people of the state. BJP's NC Shaina called the comment "disgusting, crude and arrogant." The nephew of Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar later apologized for his remarks made while addressing a public meeting at an interior village in Indapur tehsil of Pune district. The remarks were greeted with laughter from the audience.