I Quit Because Allegations Against Sharad Pawar Hurt Me: Ajit

NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s nephew, Ajit, resigned as a Maharashtra MLA after being named in a bank scam by ED.

Ajit Pawar file photo.

(Photo: Facebook/Ajit Pawar)

Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar said on Saturday, 28 September that he resigned as MLA in keeping with his "conscience" after his uncle and party chief Sharad Pawar's name was embroiled in the alleged MSC Bank scam for no reason.

Ajit, whose resignation on Friday ahead of Maharashtra elections shocked political circles, also denied that there was any rift within the family.

He also questioned the allegations against him in connection with the alleged Rs 25,000 crore scam at the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank.

“Sharad Pawar is not even remotely associated with the bank or its transactions in any capacity. Yet, the day before yesterday, only Pawar saheb’s name was doing rounds in connection with the case,” Ajit Pawar said at a press conference in Mumbai.

"I reached upto (the post of) deputy chief minister because of Sharad Pawar... I was perturbed as I felt it was because of me that he had to face infamy at this age. Hence, I decided to resign in keeping with my conscience," he added.

"I apologise to NCP workers if their sentiments were hurt by my actions," he said.

About the scam allegations, Ajit said leaders of all political parties were members of the board of the cooperative bank, and all decisions about sanctioning of loans and other matters were taken collectively.

Earlier in the day, Ajit, who remained incommunicado after he resigned on Friday, met his uncle at the latter’s residence in Mumbai.

No Feud in Family: Sharad Pawar

On Friday, Sharad Pawar had said he was clueless as to why his nephew Ajit Pawar resigned as party MLA, adding that there was no feud within the family.

He, however, said Ajit Pawar's son told him that the former Maharashtra deputy chief minister was "restless" after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) named the NCP patriarch in a money laundering case.

"When I meet Ajit I will ask him the reason for his extreme decision," Pawar said.

Pawar also said he is a "fighter" and will fight the money laundering case filed against him in connection with the MSC bank scam.

“He (Ajit Pawar) did not discuss the resignation issue with anyone of us. I do not have even an iota of clue as to why did he take that decision...he has been unreachable since.”

Sharad Pawar

"I spoke to his son, who told me that his father was restless as he felt that because of him, the name of his uncle, that is me, was dragged in the bank scam despite me having nothing to do with it...I will look into this (Ajit's resignation) as the family head," Pawar said.

The ED has filed the case against Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar and 70 others in connection with the bank scam.

The NCP chief said Ajit Pawar advised his son to not venture into politics, but to get into business.

"We are working in different fields...But we come together on the occasion of Diwali, discuss future plans and my decision is considered as final," he said.

Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagade said Ajit Pawar has resigned as an MLA and the same has been accepted.