Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) heavyweights and Union Ministers, Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel have resigned from the Union Cabinet and are sending their resignation to the Prime Minister, according to media reports.
The provocation for this move are not known yet but reports say Pawar is miffed at being relegated in the Cabinet pecking order post the resignation of Pranab Mukherjee.
Reports also say that Pawar wants a Cabinet birth for her daughter Supriya Sule.
Both Pawar and Patel didn't attend Thursday's Cabinet meeting, sparking speculation of a growing rift between the NCP and the Congress.
Pawar reportedly met UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi this morning after sending the resignation letters to the Prime Ministers.
With Pranab Mukherjee being made UPA candidate for the President's post, Pawar wanted to be No. 2 in the Cabinet after the Prime Minister on the basis of his seniority.
However, Congress, with its large number strength in the Lok Sabha, chose Defence Minister A.K. Antony as No.2. This didn't go down well with the NCP.
Pawar is also said to be peeved at some of his proposals not getting a green light from the government.
Pawar is also believed to be furious over constant dithering over the Forward Contract Regulation Act (Amendment) Bill.