Sharad Pawar pulls down curtains on Ajit’s resignation drama

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar on Thursday distanced himself from the controversial issue of deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s resignation. “As far as the party is concerned the issue of resignation is over,” said the Maratha strongman indicating that it was up to Ajit whether to return to the government or work for the party from outside.

Pawar also reiterated his support to the Congress-led coalition in the state and the centre. He instructed state NCP chief Madhukar Pichad to tell party workers to end the public demonstrations against CM Prithviraj Chavan.

The stern message from Pawar is perceived as an ultimatum to Ajit to restrict the decision-making to himself and not take the party for granted. This was evident as Pawar kept reiterating that the government will continue to function. “There was no question of accepting the resignations of 19 NCP ministers of the Democratic Front government,” he said,

Ajit though is unlikely to take back his resignation. “Ajit has made up his mind to clear his name from the irrigation scam before he returns to the government,” sources within the NCP said. “His purpose of holding a meeting in Mumbai was to allow party MLAs and leaders to vent their anger against the highhandedness of the Congress under Chavan’s leadership.”

Insiders in the organisation said the party was waiting for Pawar to intervene. “We are all waiting for a message from Pawar,” said NCP chief spokesperson Nawab Mullick.

Ajit loyalists within the NCP are terribly upset with the deputy CM’s resignation. “Why is nobody tackling the root cause of Ajit’s anger? This is a definite ploy to portray Ajit as a criminal and corrupt. We cannot see him being subjected to questioning over every policy decision related to cooperative banks or irrigation projects,” an irate NCP worker told DNA. “Chavan’s refusal to sanction a Rs500 crore bailout package for six district banks is not Ajit’s personal agenda. Of these six banks, the Congress controls three.”

Another party worker said: “Chavan has embarked on a single mission to tarnish Ajit’s image in the irrigation sector. Instead of streamlining the system he is on an anti-Ajit campaign spree.”

However, sources said aggressive young turks within the NCP will be tamed by the top leadership to ensure the state government is not in trouble.