PM says Pawar is great asset to government

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday reached out to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and described him as a "great asset" to the government.

"Sharad Pawar is a very valued colleague whose knowledge, wisdom and experience are a great asset to our government," said the prime minister.

Pawar and Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel Thursday boycotted the cabinet meeting Thursday evening chaired by the prime minister.

The two leaders were rumoured to have offered to resign from the cabinet apparently over the NCP chief not being given No.2 position in the government.

Patel Friday denied that they had resigned from the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.