NCP leaders to meet today to take final call on ties with UPA

New Delhi, July 23 (ANI): The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which has been dissatisfied with the treatment extended to it by the ruling UPA Government, will meet here on Monday afternoon to decide on the future course of action.

There have been reports that the NCP had indicated that it would give up the ministerial posts and extend outside support to the Government.

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar has so far met top leaders of his party including Union Heavy Industries Minister Minister Praful Patel, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, state NCP chief Madhukar Pichad and Home Minister R R Patil.

Praful Patel had earlier on Saturday said that NCP is part of the UPA and will emain an ally of the ruling coalition.

Talking to reporters at Mumbai airport after his arrival from New Delhi, Patel said, "NCP is part of the UPA and will remain so."

Patel dismissed suggestions that the NCP was resorting to pressure tactics.

"We have already spoken to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and no top leader of the Congress has said we are pressurising the UPA," he said.

"If any leader in the Congress says this is pressure tactics, it's not right," he said.

Praful Patel had earlier said that the NCP has been a pillar of strength both inside the government and outside in the functioning of UPA.

Patel said that though Sharad Pawar never personally raised the issue of his position in the cabinet, by virtue of his stature he deserved the position of No 2 in the Union Cabinet.

Patel also blamed certain sections within Congress for unnecessarily fueling speculations about rift between the two coalition partners.

Patel said that his party would also prepare in a responsible manner for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections along with the UPA, but added that some sections inside the Congress were fuelling unnecessary speculation.

According to reports, in a letter sent to the Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday, Sharad Pawar warned that his NCP may choose to opt out of the government and provide external support. (ANI)