NCP president Sharad Pawar said the allegation against the Social Justice Minister was serious and added the party will discuss the issue and decide on it "as soon as possible". Pawar told reporters that Munde (45) met him on Wednesday and explained the details in connection with the allegation."I think the allegation against him (Munde) is serious. Naturally, we will have to discuss the issue as a party. I will discuss the same in detail with my key colleagues and take them into confidence," Pawar said."Further steps will be taken after knowing their views. We will do this as soon as possible, he added. Munde told reporters that Pawar and other leaders of the party will take a call on the issue of his resignation. Maharashtra NCP president and state minister Jayant Patil said Munde will not resign just because someone has made allegations, but asserted the issue will discussed inside the NCP and a decision will be taken based on facts.
Talking to reporters, Jayant Patil said any conclusion should be reached only based on police probe outcome into the matter. The Water Resources Minister said so far there has been neither any discussion in the party over Munde's resignation nor the latter has offered to resign."Munde was being blackmailed and he had made a complaint to the police. We should reach any conclusion based on the outcome of the police probe. We need not jump to a conclusion," Patil said.Patil said Munde had made a complaint about the alleged blackmailing by the woman at the Bandra Police Station, but the cops did not take appropriate action on the same. Hence, Munde had approached the Bombay High Court, he added."Now, the police should conduct an initial probe into the matter. I am sure you will take note if some woman is defaming a politician by levelling random allegations," he added.
Seconding Pawar, Patil said the allegation against Munde is serious and added facts need to be checked. "It is also not expected of the party to take any decision without verifying the truth if anyone levels allegation against someone," he said. Patil said the Shiv Sena-led government, of which the NCP is a key partner, is not interfering in the matter. "The situation will definitely be reviewed inside the party. If need be, we will take appropriate positions based on facts at the level of the Chief Minister (Uddhav Thackeray)," Patil said.