Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reached out to sulking Sharad Pawar, describing him as a "very valued colleague" but there were no indications as to what the Congress leadership was planning to address NCP's concerns.
A day after Pawar and his party colleague Praful Patel skipped the meeting of the Cabinet to express their protest, the NCP chief met Congress President Sonia Gandhi to discuss the party's grievances.
Interestingly, Pawar drove to Gandhi's residence in his daughter Supriya Sule's private car which was seen as an indication that he could have offered his resignation.
Agriculture Minister Pawar and his colleague Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel did not attend office today.
Pawar later met his senior party leaders after which Patel said NCP was "unhappy with some aspects" of the functioning of the government and the larger coalition and this has been conveyed to the Congress leadership.
Patel said the UPA-II was entering the last two years of its term and NCP wanted the government to be "more decisive" and "more committed" to the issues before the people.
"We do have certain issues on which we want some new direction," he said but added that the party continues to part of UPA. He dismissed reports that Pawar was peeved over not being granted number two status in the government.
Leaving the ball in the Congress court to address the party's grievances, NCP leaders will meet on Monday to discuss future course of action.
Shortly after Patel's press conference, the Prime Minister said in a statement to PTI that Pawar is a "very valued colleague" and that his knowledge, wisdom and experience are a "great asset" to his government.
The Congress also sought to downplay the differences saying Pawar is a senior and respectable leader of the UPA coalition and all the issues with the party will be solved through talks. (MORE)
