Panaji, Dec 3 (IANS): Known for baiting the opposition, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh Tuesday was at the receiving end of a compliment as well as a sarcastic barb by Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Speaking at a function here organised by the ministry of civil aviation, Parrikar said that compared to Goa's Congress members of parliament (MPs), the former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh had much more clout "in the corridors of power".

"We all know how much influence you wield in the corridors of power in Delhi, even more than our MPs," Parrikar said seeking intervention of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary-in-charge of Goa to force the Indian Navy to cede 20 acres of land for the expansion of the civil airport.

The airport in Goa is controlled by the Indian Navy -- and the state government and the defence force have been at loggerhead over sharing of land for the already clogged airport.

"May be Digvijaya Singh-ji can do what our MPs could not," Parrikar said to the Congressman known for his links to the powerful Gandhi family.

Earlier, the duo, who have sparred over each other's political affiliations, barely shook hands before they took their seats on the dais for the formal function.