Outgoing deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar will remain the Nationalist Congress Party’s leader in the state legislative party. With the party not showing any signs of appointing a DCM to replace Mr Pawar, the state will see the party leader dominating the House, but in a different role.
The Congress has also maintained that Mr Pawar’s decision to quit his post won’t affect the performance or stability of the Democratic Front government. “Even though Mr Pawar won’t be part of the state government, he will continue to provide his guidance,” MPCC chief Manikrao Thakre said.
Independent MLAs supporting the NCP are, however, upset with Mr Pawar’s decision. “Now the government will be like a ship without a radar,” said one of the MLAs, who did not wish to be named.
While the Opposition, mainly Shiv Sena, BJP and MNS, has chosen to stay mum over the issue, the RPI said that the DCM’s
resignation would help ensure a fair investigation into the entire irrigation scam. “Nobody should be spared…there should be a deep probe into the scam,” he said.