The Nationalist Congress Party on Thursday laid down a code of conduct for its ministers in Maharashtra, making it obligatory for them to spend four days a week in their offices.
"NCP ministers will have to spend four days a week in Mantralaya, while the remaining three days can be devoted to their constituencies," Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, who is also the party's state unit chief, told reporters in Mumbai.
Patil was briefing mediapersons about a meeting of NCP ministers at the Sahyadri guest house in south Mumbai. The meeting was presided over by party president and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar. The meeting, attended by all party ministers, lasted more than two hours.
The ministers have been asked to maintain coordination between the government and the party, he said. The ministers have also been asked to address issues concerning party workers, Patil said.
The code of conduct will be reviewed every six months, he added.
Pawar reportedly gave some "tips" to the ministers. Party sources said the attempt was an effort by the NCP to maintain its leading position in the state. The ministers have been asked not to make any statements deviating from the party's line and ideology.
NCP emerged as the single largest party in Maharashtra bagging 71 seats in the just-concluded assembly polls.