India, Nov. 17 -- There has been considerable unease in the Ajit Pawar-led NCP over the past few days. Many in the party are unhappy that most of the top leaders in the party did not come to the defence of Ajit's son Parth when he was caught in the Pune land controversy. While the deputy CM, expectedly, defended his son over the issue, vehemently denying any wrongdoing on the part of his son, the silence of most of the seniors in the NCP took party workers by surprise.

A party minister pointed out that most of the senior leaders are a bit wary of Parth, who is increasingly taking an interest in the party's affairs and emerging as an important member of the top team. Any stray remark on the issue could mean trouble for them and hence keep...