New Delhi: Expressing happiness over his current portfolio, Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today (May 28, 2004) strongly refuted reports that he was keen on getting the Defence Ministry in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government.

"There was speculation in the media that I wanted to be Defence Minister. I want to point out that they are totally wrong," Pawar said.

He had insisted though that the Food and Agriculture Ministries be combined under a single Minister, he said.

The Maratha strongman said he completed 37 years as an MLA or an MP in the current year and had already spent 20 years in different Governments in various capacities. At that stage of his career he did not have any interest in taking up any post or position in power, he added.

Pawar was Defence Minister in the P V Narasimha Rao Government during 1991-1993 before moving to Maharashtra as Chief Minister.