19 More Ministers Offer To Resign, Sharad Says No Mumbai: Maharashtra deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar resigned from the Democratic Front government on Tuesday evening, in a dramatic development which brought to the fore his party’s simmering tension with the Congress but which should not lead to a life-threatening crisis for the coalition, at least not in the near run. The entire NCP team of ministers also put in their resignations, although they were meant to be more of a mark of solidarity with Ajit Pawar rather than signalling a real intent of sacrifice for the deputy CM’s sake. Unlike Ajit who sent his resignation to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, NCP ministers submitted their papers to state party president Madhukar Pichhad, showing their willingness to be cajoled into taking their resignations back. NCP boss and Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar made it plain that he would take the final call on the continuation of the NCP ministers, barring Ajit, in the government. Ajit’s resignation came in the wake of a series of exposes by TOI of scams in the Maharashtra irrigation department on his watch, and is meant to be an angry protest against CM Chavan. The deputy CM holds Chavan, who has had a tough time imposing his status as head of government, responsible for the “leaks” about his performance as irrigation minister. Sources said that in a meeting of NCP leaders on Saturday, Ajit held the CM squarely responsible for the torrent of reports on the irrigation scam. Fresh reports on how procedures were violated to favour contractors when he held charge of the irrigation department added to his resentment, with Pawar making up his mind to quit on Monday. “Enough is enough,” NCP sources quoted Ajit as telling his party colleagues who, sources said, appeared to appreciate his decision. Speaking to reporters after his resignation, Ajit confirmed that he had secured Sharad Pawar’s concurrence. CONG VS NCP, OR PAWAR VS PAWAR? EVENING DRAMA 5pm | Ajit Pawar calls press conference. Announces resignation as deputy CM and gives up portfolios of planning, finance and energy. Says he wants to facilitate inquiry against him and his colleagues in alleged irrigation scam 6pm | 19 ministers send resignations to state NCP chief Madhukar Pichhad 7pm | Sharad Pawar says ministers won’t resign. Rules out his daughter Supriya Sule replacing his nephew as deputy CM 8pm | Prithviraj Chavan speaks to governor, keeps options open; unlikely to forward Ajit Pawar’s resignation to governor despite Pawar Sr’s urging CHARGES AGAINST AJIT PAWAR He allegedly ‘hurriedly’ granted approval to 38 water projects, worth a total of 20,000cr without mandatory clearance of the governing council of Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation