Sharad Pawar, the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party, NCP, has said that there is no going back on Ajit Pawar's resignation as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He mentioned that without Ajit too their family was united and that they would continue the same way.

Sharad Pawar mentioned talking to Ajit before the resignation as the Deputy CM of Maharashtra, was submitted. Considering it he has permitted Ajit to resign. He had emphasized that there was no rift between them and that the resignation was a personal decision that should not trigger other ministers of the NCP to resign.

Ajit Pawar supporters in the NCP on Wednesday came out to protest outside the state Assembly building, blaming Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan for the crisis.

The Congress, however, made it clear that Chavan would stay as the Chief Minister, even as NCP chief Sharad Pawar said his party would support them. NCP also told the government that the final decision to choose the leader of Maharashtra rested in their hands."Whether to recall Prithviraj Chavan to Delhi or change the Chief Minister is up to the Congress," said Sharad Pawar.

Despite Sharad Pawar's public statement that no minister or MLA would resign, several MLAs, both from the NCP and Independents, threatened to withdraw support if Ajit Pawar was replaced as Deputy CM.

Senior party leader Praful Patel said, "This is rubbish. Ait Pawar will not be replaced.

(AW- Anil)