Pawar biggest supporter, well-wisher of UPA: Congress

Ruling out any differences between the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday said Sharad Pawar is the biggest "supporter and well-wisher" of the United Progressive Alliance government.

"There are no differences with Sharad Pawar. He is the biggest supporter and well-wisher of the UPA," Azad told reporters.

Azad pointed out that when Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee left UPA, Pawar was the first person to strongly condemn the move. "It signifies how strongly he feels that UPA should last for the full term," said Azad.

Azad's reaction comes a day after Pawar's nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar resigned, following allegations of an irrigation scam when he was the state's water resources minister.

Congress and NCP are ruling the coalition in Maharashtra as well.

Azad said there is no threat to the state government as the deputy CM resigned over allegations of a scam, not because there were any differences between the two parties.

"Ajit Pawar has not resigned because he has any differences either with the state or the central Congress, but because there are some allegations. He has said he will not accept any post till his name is cleared," Azad said.