The Dilip Kumar and Deepika Padukone of politics

At an otherwise solemn event here on Saturday, Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde called NCP leader Sharad Pawar the Dilip Kumar of politics. He returned the compliment by comparing her with Deepika Padukone.

The event was to inaugurate a statue of the late union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. His third death anniversary fell on Friday.

At an all-party meeting at the event, BJP Maharashtra's Minister for Women and Child Welfare Munde said it was a great privilege that the statue was inaugurated by the 75-year-old Pawar.

"He is one of the senior most political leaders. Just as Dilip Kumar is among the greatest actors, Sharad Pawar is like the Dilip Kumar of politics," Munde said, triggering a roar in the gathering.

Later, Pawar described Munde as the Deepika Padukone among the new crop of politicians.

"I asked around and found out that Deepika Padukone is among the popular actors of today. If I am Dilip Kumar, then Pankaja Munde is the Deepika Padukone," Pawar said to thunderous applause.

Earlier, Deshmukh's 12 feet tall statue was inaugurated in the presence of his widow Vaishali, sons including Bollywood actor Riteish, brother and other family members and a large number of supporters.

A minister in the government of Manmohan Singh, Deshmukh died following a brief illness on August 14, 2012.