Maharashtra MLA Ajit Pawar left the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) meeting midway in front of veteran Sharad Pawar as the party re-elected the latter as its chief.

Sharad Pawar was re-elected unopposed during the national executive meeting on Saturday, September 10 in Delhi.

Ajit Pawar leaving the meeting sparked buzz about a possible disgruntlement in the NCP top brass.

During the programme, NCP leader Jayant Patil was given the opportunity to speak ahead of Ajit Pawar. When the turn came, Ajit Pawar got up and left the venue.

The party clarified that Pawar had left for the washroom and would return soon as the party cadres raised slogans in support of the former Maharashtra deputy chief minister.

Senior leaders Praful Patel and Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule were given the responsibility of persuading a visibly upset Ajit Pawar. Patel informed the party workers that Ajit Pawar had gone to the washroom and would return soon.

Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar, who was witnessing the events unfold from the stage, watched on silently.

In 2029, while Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress in Maharashtra were still stiching together an alliance, in a stunning turn of events, BJP's Devendra Fadnavis took oath as CM with NCP's Ajit Pawar as his deputy. But the government lasted only 80 hours as Sharad Pawar persuaded 'disgruntled' Ajit Pawar back into the NCP fold.

(With inputs from agencies)