Union Agriculture Minister and NCP Chief Sharad Pawar has accepted the resignation of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The decision was announced today after Sharad Pawar held a meeting of the NCP Legislature Party at Mumbai's Vidhan Bhawan. Union Minister for Heavy Industries, Praful Patel and Supriya Sule were also present in the meeting.

Meanwhile, resignations of 19 NCP Ministers have been rejected. Addressing reporters after the meeting, Mr. Sharad Pawar said that NCP will soon send its recommendation to Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to accept Ajit Pawar’s resignation. He added that NCP will work with the Congress party to bring out a white paper on irrigation at the earliest. He also denied reports of a rift between himself and Ajit Pawar.

Earlier, addressing the NCP Legislature Party, Mr. Ajit Pawar reiterated his decision to resign from all Ministerial posts. He, however, added that Sharad Pawar's decision will be final and binding since he considers him a Godly figure. He assured NCP members that he will always work for the party's advancement. Mr. Pawar said, there is a conspiracy to defame him.

Earlier this morning, Mr. Sharad Pawar held a long meeting with Ajit Pawar at Union Minister Praful Patel’s residence in Mumbai. He also held a separate meeting with NCP Ministers and office bearers to discuss the future course of action after Ajit Pawar’s resignation.