NCP MLAs ask Ajit to take back resignation

At a crucial meeting in Vidhan Bhavan, NCP MLAs demanded that Ajit Pawar take back his resignation, even as party activists took to the streets outside Maharashtra Assembly in Pawar's support. However, they, said the NCP chief Sharad Pawar should take a final call.

The meeting was called by state NCP president Madhukar Pichad to discuss the reasons for the sudden resignation of Pawar, said state's Housing Minister Sachin Ahir, while making it clear that no precipitate action to endanger the Democratic Front government would be taken at the meeting.

"There will be no uncertainty in Maharashtra. Our leader Sharad Pawar's word will be final," he told reporters outside the meeting venue in Vidhan Bhawan.

Earlier, Union minister and NCP Vice-President Praful Patel said Ajit Pawar's resignation as the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister must be accepted.


Party sources said several legislators owing allegiance to 53-year-old Ajit Pawar are firm that the party should quit the government and extend outside support to the Prithviraj Chavan-led ministry.

The simmering tensions in the 13-year-old coalition came to the fore yesterday with the resignation of Ajit, 53-year-old nephew of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, following reports of scam to the tune of thousands of crores of rupees in irrigation projects during his tenure as water resources minister between 1999 and 2009.

Related stories

Maha govt in crisis as Dy CM resigns

NCP meet today over Pawar's resignation

Baramati shuts down to oppose Ajit Pawar resignation