Ajit Pawar Quits, Maha Politics May Turn Choppy

UNCERTAIN TIMES Resignation follows allegations of scam in okaying irrigation projects; chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to discuss issue with Congress and NCP brass

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has resigned following allegations of a mega irrigation scam when he was the water resource minister in the state. The move could create a political crisis in Maharashtra. Nationalist Congress Party ministers expressed solidarity with Pawar and submitted their resignations to the state party president. 

Pawar's resignation highlighted his seeming difference with his uncle and NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who was quick to announce in Kolkata that NCP did not wish to destabilise the Maharashtra government and Ajit's resignation would not affect the state government. Later in the day, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said, "I have received the letter of resignation from Ajit Pawar. After discussing this issue with senior party leaders from both sides, I will take further action on it." 
After his resignation, Ajit Pawar told journalists, "I have decided to resign following allegations levelled against me on granting clearances to various irrigation projects. I cleared all projects only to ensure people get benefits faster. The Opposition and media have alleged that I have indulged in corruption and have awarded out-of-turn contracts." The deputy CM said that he had sent in his resignation to the chief minister, and added that he won't accept any post till his name is cleared. He said that he was ready to face a CBI probe as well. Pawar also held the charge of finance and energy ministries. 
NCP leader and Union minister for heavy industries and public enterprises Praful Patel, who appeared to be taken aback by Pawar's sudden resignation, said in Delhi that the party will not pull out of the state government. "We will not withdraw from the government in Maharashtra. We want the truth to come out. Supriya Sule (Sharad Pawar's daughter) is not going to take over any position right now. This whole thing is a conspiracy to defame NCP in Maharashtra," said Patel. He clarified that Sharad Pawar had decided to accept Ajit's resignation, but other ministers will stay on in the state government. 
However, there were hectic political activities in Mumbai. Senior NCP leaders like PWD minster Chhagan Bhujbal and home minister RR Patil rushed to Ajit Pawar's residence to discuss the possible consequences. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, who was on his way to Pune, cancelled his trip. 
Coalition partners Congress and NCP have shared a somewhat rocky relationship in Maharashtra, with each taking potshots at each other from time to time. Recently, Congress used the irrigation scam to corner NCP, and Chavan even demanded a white paper on the expenditure incurred on various irrigation schemes in the state during the last decade. 
The Opposition accused NCP of misappropriation of funds in 2011. Chavan too made a public statement on the issue about a year ago, saying about . 68,000 crore was spent on irrigation schemes in the past 10 years, which resulted in very little, or no improvement, in the land under irrigation. Sharad Pawar's NCP has held the irrigation portfolio throughout this period and Ajit Pawar was in charge of the ministry for eight years.

CREATING CRISIS: Ajit Pawar