A major political crisis looms large over the Maharashtra government with the NCP playing the “resignation card” to foil Congress plans to put it in the dock over the irrigation scam. Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said he was quitting all ministerial posts on Tuesday in the wake of corruption allegations. After this, 19 other NCP ministers also sent their resignations to state NCP chief Madhukar Pichad.
This is UPA-2’s most serious crisis after the Trinamul Congress’ recent exit.
Mr Pawar faces allegations that he arbitrarily sanctioned irrigation projects worth `35,000 crores without going through proper procedures. Mr Pawar landed in more trouble as Vijay Pandhare, chief engineer of the water resources department, wrote to the government saying political intervention had allowed dubious contractors to hike the cost of irrigation projects and dams. He added that the construction quality was inferior, endangering thousands of villagers living close to these projects.
Announcing his decision on Tuesday evening, Mr Pawar said: “I don’t want to continue while investigations are on. Otherwise people might say I influenced the probe as I was still in office. I want an impartial investigation, hence I put in my papers.” He said he was ready for the state government’s white paper or even a CBI probe, saying he would return only after his name was cleared.
Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan confirmed he had got Mr Pawar’s resignation. “Mr Pawar wants to quit the council of ministers. He suggested alternative arrangements for the portfolios of finance and energy. I will decide on this after discussing it with the leadership of both parties.” The CM later held an hour-long meeting with senior state Congress leaders.
In New Delhi, senior NCP leader Praful Patel clarified the NCP-Congress alliance was intact in Maharashtra, and there was no threat to the state government. He also said Mr Ajit Pawar would remain NCP legislature party leader in the Assembly.