Pawar, who was speaking at a joint meeting at the Council Hall, convened for discussing the measures to bring the situation under control, stressed that ensuring national integration rather than political mileage, should be the priority.

However, the visit of Congress MP Suresh Kalmadi to the Pune Railway station earlier in the day to express Congress’ support to the North Indian migrants, gave enough indications that the issue may snowball into a political rallying point for the ruling party.

In an aggressive demonstration amidst sloganeering like, “Congress ka haath, Uttar Bharatiyo ke saath,” Kalmadi, with folded hands requested a congregation of North Indians not to flee the state. “Please approach the assistance cells set up in Congress Bhavan with all your complaints, rather than fleeing. Those forcibly evicted from their houses will get all the assistance you need,” said Kalmadi after patiently listening to complaints of the migrants. Both Kalmadi and Pawar exhorted the police to tighten the security in the district. Intensive patrolling of migrant pockets in the city, suo moto action to be taken against offenders, political notices in public areas be removed, were the other directives issued by the Guardian Minister at a joint meeting convened at the Council Hall on Friday. Representatives of the police, administrative and civic bodies, industries and members of the Promoters and Builders Association attended the meeting.

“Though it is difficult to put a figure on the ongoing exodus, police reports, media coverage as well as interactions with industrial representatives and labourers have indicated that the fear factor about their fate on February 25 is on a rise among the migrants,” said Pawar, who assured that he will be speaking to Union Minister Sharad Pawar about Lalu Prasad’s announcement of performing Chatth Puja in Mumbai, which has predicted doomsday for the migrants.

After Police Commissioner Jayant Umranikar briefed Pawar about the absence of a single registered complaint, even as rumours about “assaults and threats” continued, Pawar said: “Any person found creating trouble should be immediately apprehended and the strictest of proceedings, including MCOCA if needed, should be initiated against them. Do not hesitate to arrest any such person, irrespective of his status or political lineage,” said Pawar.