NCP accepts Ajit Pawar's resignation, no Dy CM in Maharashtra - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Friday accepted the resignation of Ajit Pawar from the post of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. A decision in this regard was taken during a crucial meeting of NCP state legislators held here today under the leadership of party chief Sharad Pawar. "Ajit Pawar is sticking to his decision to resign. The MLAs want Ajit Pawar to reconsider the decision to resign. The NCP supports the chief minister's move to submit a White Paper on the irrigation scam. White Paper on irrigation scam should be tabled at the earliest," Sharad Pawar told mediapersons after the NCP meeting. The NCP chief, however, said that the resignations of other party ministers would not be accepted. "We will not accept the resignation of other ministers," he said. Sharad Pawar further ruled out any difference of opinion between him and his nephew Ajit Pawar. "There are no differences between me and Ajit Pawar," he said. Praful Patel was also present in the crucial NCP meeting held today. Ajit Pawar had quit his post on Tuesday following media reports about his involvement in alleged irregularities in the irrigation department when he held the irrigation portfolio between 1999-2009. He had also resigned as minister for finance and planning and power but would continue to remain leader of the NCP legislature party. All other 19 NCP ministers followed suit as a mark of solidarity with Ajit Pawar. The NCP legislators and ministers had unanimously adopted a resolution on Wednesday requesting Ajit Pawar to withdraw his resignation. Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had earlier said that he would take a decision on Ajit Pawar's resignation only after speaking to senior leaders of both the Congress and NCP. Chavan has still not accepted Ajit Pawar's resignation.

NCP accepts Ajit Pawar's resignation as Dy CM