Barely two hours after Maharashtra deputy chief minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party resigned as minister amidst allegations of his involvement in irrigation scam, 18 NCP ministers have submitted their resignations to the state party chief Madhukar Pichad.
The state legislative party meeting is being convened on Wednesday noon to discuss the political situation and decide the future course of action. Even though a section of NCP ministers, legislators and party leaders are mounting pressure on the leadership to pullout of the Congress-led government and extend an outside support, the party chief Sharad Pawar clarified that his party would not deatabilise the state government and the coalition would continue.
Besides, Sharad Pawar termed his nephew's decision as right. However, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, who cut short his Pune visit to reach to Mumbai declined to comment.
However, sources at the chief minister's office that it has received Ajit Pawar's resignation however, it has as it yet been forwarded to the state Governor. it is expected that chief minister will forward it only after due consultations both with ate Congress leadership as well as with Sharad Pawar.
Senior ministers and leaders rushed to Ajit Pawar's residence in south Mumbai and they closeted to take stock of the situation.
Further, a large number of party workers also rushed to Pawar's residence as they were quite anxious to meet their leader and find out what led him to resort to resign from the ministry.
However, ministers and leaders were unanimous to reaffirm their support to Pawar who is the NCP leader of the legislative wing. Besides, they also said by resigning Pawar has indicated that neither he or nor the party would no longer accept allegations withas regard to corruptions but go to the people for arguing their case.
Ajit Pawar told Business Standard, "I have taken decision to resign from the government after consulting NCP chief Sharad Pawar. I am prepared to face any inquiry and therefore did not want to stick to power. I am not power hungry." He further said that he and the party have been unnecessarily defamed.
Meanwhile, Congress ministers also rushed to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan's official residence Varsha in south Mumbai to review fast evolving political developments.
