Pawar rules out tie-up with BJP

Mumbai: Moments after Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar justified his actions of joining hands with the BJP, his uncle and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said there was no question of forming an alliance with the saffron party.

The NCP chief said Ajit Pawar's statement was "false and misleading" to create confusion among the people of Maharashtra.

He reiterated that the NCP has unanimously decided to ally with Shiv Sena and the Congress to form the government in Maharashtra.

Senior Pawar's statement has come just after Ajit Pawar's statement that the NCP's alliance with the saffron party would provide a stable government in Maharashtra for next five years.

Reacting to Ajit Pawar's statement on Twitter, Sharad Pawar said, "There is no question of forming an alliance with @BJP4Maharashtra."

NCP has unanimously decided to ally with @ShivSena & @INCMaharashtra to form the government. Shri Ajit Pawar's statement is false and misleading in order to

create confusion and false perception among the people.

Taking to Twitter, Ajit Pawar had said, "I am in the NCP and shall always be in the NCP and @PawarSpeaks Saheb is our leader."

In another tweet, Ajit Pawar said, "There is absolutely no need to worry, all is well. However, a little patience is required. Thank you very much for all your support."

Earlier in the day, sources said that Ajit Pawar has refused to rethink his decision to join hands with the BJP and become the Deputy Chief Minister.

He told the NCP leaders Jayant Patil and Dilip Walse Patil earlier that tie-up with the BJP was in the NCP's interests.