The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said in Mumbai on Saturday that it will remain an ally of the ruling coalition UPA government at the Centre.

Talking to reporters at Mumbai airport upon his arrival from Delhi with NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, Union Minister, Praful Patel said that the NCP is a part of the UPA and will remain so. He also dismissed suggestions that the NCP was resorting to pressure tactics.

Sharad Pawar did not speak to the media. Mr. Patel further added that Congress and NCP are running a coalition government in the state but state NCP leaders are not happy with the co-ordination mechanism between the two parties and the issue was raised prominently in the meeting.

Earlier, in the afternoon NCP Chief Mr. Sharad Pawar had held a meeting with top party leaders of Maharashtra in Mumbai.

State congress Chief Manikrao Thakare on Saturday said the meeting of co-ordination committee will be called soon and all matters will be discussed with NCP leaders.