The ruling Congress party has swung into action to tide over the situation that has arisen following the move by NCP leader Ajit Pawar to resign from the post of Maharashtra's deputy chief minister.
A meeting of the Congress party's legislative wing has convened on Thursday to take stock of the situation. Congress insiders note that a resolution reaffirming faith and confidence in the leadership of state chief minister Prithviraj Chavan is expected to be passed at Thursday's legislative wing meeting. Besides, the Congress high command will be authorised to take necessary decisions with regard to the survival of the Congress-NCP coalition government in the state.
Congress leader, who did not want to be identified, told Business Standard "We do not see any danger for the coalition government in the state which is quite evident from the statement by NCP chief Sharad Pawar that his party will not destabilise the state government. As far as Ajit Pawar's decision to resign is concerned it is NCP's internal issue. If the party decides to pull out of the government or extend outside support, the Congress party Is ready to face any eventuality. One thing is clear Congress party does not want to fallers to pressure tactics of NCP."
According to the Congress minister, the Congress leadership is fully behind Chavan and cannot agree for any demand for his removal from the chief minister's post. The party is capable of handling the present situation.
Meanwhile, NCP is keeping close vigil on the developments in the Congress party and is not keen to take any step which will further deteriorate relations between the tep parties. "Our leader Sharad Pawar is quite clear that Ajit Pawar's decision is individual one and party stands by it. however, he is against other ministers and leaders to follow the bandwagon," NCP minister said.
NCP state president Madhukar Pichad has warned the party leaders and rank and file not to resort to burning chief minister Prithviraj Chavan's effigy. He announced the party would take disciplinary action against those who defy party's diktat.
