Ajit Pawar's resignation could be a ‘pressure tactic’

Ajit Pawar’s decision to step down as the state’s deputy chief minister in wake of allegations of irregularities in irrigation projects may be a part of “pressure tactics” aimed at the Congress and his rivals within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), said its leaders.

NCP leaders admitted that Ajit’s move could put his rivals within the party and the Congress, who are in the cabinet and are also facing charges of irregularities, on the back foot. A senior NCP leader cited the example of public works department (PWD) minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who is also facing allegations of irregularities in contracts like the construction of Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi.

A senior Congress leader said that the move was meant to pressurise the Congress-led UPA government in the proposed ministerial reshuffle at the Centre and also to outmanoeuvre Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, who is said to be at odds with Ajit.
“This may also be part of a plan to put pressure on the Congress in Delhi and extract concessions and ministerial berths,” said a Lok Sabha MP, who hails from Ajit’s stronghold of western Maharashtra.

However, Ajit’s detractors claim that the resignation may be aimed at preventing a comprehensive probe in the NCP-controlled water resources department.

A BJP legislator from Vidarbha said that Ajit was likely to stay outside the cabinet at least till the time the controversy over the irrigation projects died down.