Ajit Pawar’s resignation won’t affect coalition: Prithviraj Chavan

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Saturday said the resignation of his deputy, Ajit Pawar, would have no impact in the Congress-NCP alliance in the state.

Speaking to reporters here, Chavan added that the state will not have a deputy chief minister.

“I met Sharad Pawar, Ajit and Praful Patel on Friday night to discuss the issue. The government will work effectively and there will be proper co-ordination in the government and between both the parties. Congress-NCP ties will remain strong,” Chavan said.

Higher education minister Rajesh Tope has been given charge of the energy portfolio held by Pawar, while rural development minister Jayant Patil has been handed over the finance ministry.

The chief minister refused to comment on the increasing demands for the government to issue a white paper with regards to the irrigation scam.

Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan accepted the resignation of Ajit Pawar as the state's deputy chief minister.

The latest development in this regard came after Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan accepted his resignation and forwarded it to Governor Sankaranarayanan.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar had, on Friday, asked Chavan to accept Ajit Pawar's resignation and directing 19 other ministers to resume office.

“I will ask Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to accept Ajit Pawar's resignation as Deputy Chief Minister,” Pawar told mediapersons after a meeting of NCP legislature party here yesterday.

“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,” he added.

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.

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 Maharashtra Chief Minister 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.