Indicating that the 24-hour long crisis which gripped the Nationalist Congress Party had blown over, former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar expressed regrets that he abruptly quit as Baramati MLA yesterday, without consulting either the family or the party, here on Saturday afternoon.
“I am sorry I did not take my family (Sharad Pawar, et al) into confidence… I was extremely disturbed owing the Enforcement Directorate dragging the name of Sharad Pawar into the MSCB matter. I apologise to all party workers for my sudden decision,” said Ajit Pawar, who became emotional on a couple of occasions, at a crowded media conference.
He added that he was contemplating quitting as MLA past few days and had even called up Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagade to enquire when he would be available in Mumbai.
“Yesterday evening, around 5.30 pm, I went and submitted my resignation to his private secretary and then called up the Speaker. I did not give him any reasons for my decision,” said Ajit Pawar.
He reiterated his uncle and NCP President Sharad Pawar’s statement that he (Pawar Senior) was not on the board of the MSCB Bank in which the alleged Rs.25,000-crore scam took place.
“Sharad Pawar is being unnecessarily harassed at an advanced stage… I have been very upset by all this. Since the past few days, the Pawar family has been singularly targeted witout basis,” Pawar Junior said.
Earlier today, the uncle-nephew duo had a private family meeting at Sharad Pawar’s home and as per his advice, Ajit Pawar addressed the media where he was flanked by the entire NCP top brass, indicating the storm within the party over his resignation had subsided.
