Ajit Pawar to stay out of Maharashtra govt for now

Mumbai: Despite his supporters’ insistence, the Nationalist Congress Party did not include former rebel Ajit Pawar in the council of ministers. Mr Ajit Pawar himself made it clear he would not be a minister for the time being.

“I will not take the oath. Only Chhagan Bhujbal and Jayant Patil will take the oath as ministers from the NCP,” Mr Pawar said after a meeting of NCP leaders at party supremo Sharad Pawar’s residence on Thursday.

Mr Ajit Pawar, who supported the BJP’s 80-hour government, dismissed reports that he was disappointed at not being sworn in as deputy chief minister Thursday. “Do you see disappointment on my face?” he asked.