A major breakthough has been achieved in talks between the UPA allies Congress and the NCP after the media reports that NCP chief Sharad Pawar and senior NCP leader Praful Patel both have resigned from the Union Cabinet this morning.

Speaking to media after the meeting, Praful Patel said "NCP will continue to be part and parcel of UPA. NCP has also been one of the strongest allies of the UPA. There have been some political problems in the recent past. Sections of the Congress feeding wrong information through media. NCP has communicated certain views to the government and things have not been resolved. Issue of number 2 being blown out of proportion, Sharad Pawar sits next to Sonia Gandhi in Parliament, issue of number 2 is totally absurd. Our party will meet again on Monday to discuss our issues, we will communicate our decision after that meeting." However, still there is no confirmation on whether Sharad Pawar merely offered to quit or has already resigned.