Ajit Pawar hits out, says Congress targeting NCP

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The political crisis in Maharashtra is not over, but has only begun with the resignation of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.

A day after his resignation was accepted by governor K. Sankarnaryanan, NCP leader Ajit Pawar started a veiled attack on the Congress, saying he would not become a minister again till he is cleared of all allegations.

At a public rally in Ahmednagar on Sunday, Pawar said 'some people' were deliberately targeting the NCP.

He said he would go on a statewide tour and expose the 'truth' (on irrigation scam allegations). In his speech, he said the Congress’ 'agenda' was to target the NCP, adding the allegations against him were part of an effort to divert attention from the 'Coalgate' scam. “The NCP alone is not responsible for escalation of prices, but some flakes of soot from the coal scam (were) thrown at us,” said Mr Pawar.

Congress insiders say this is part of the NCP’s strategy to dilute the 'white paper' Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan has announced on the irrigation scam. The party says it will continue to attack the NCP, and ask why only 0.1 per cent irrigation had increased despite Rs 70,000 crores spent on irrigation projects.

will UPA bring Maha CM back to Delhi circle?

Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has gradually built up a perception against the NCP. But the real issue is whether the Congress high command will give a free hand to the chief minister, at a time when the Trinamul Congress has walked out of the UPA and the DMK is waiting for an opportunity to quit.

“If the Assembly elections are advanced, the Congress could win 125 seats on its own and form a government with the help of Independents and others,” a Chavan loyalist said.

However, the Congress wants to remain in power at the Centre till the full term, that is May 2014. In such a scenario, the UPA could bring Chavan back to New Delhi from Mumbai and make him a Union minister, whenever Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reshuffles his Cabinet. His successor in Maharashtra could be chosen in consultation with the NCP.