Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Tuesday appealed to the party chief Sharad Pawar that senior leader Ajit Pawar be persuaded to return to the party fold keeping his "contribution" to the organisation in mind.

Speaking at the joint meeting of the 'Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi' of the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, Bhujbal said Ajit Pawar's presence was necessary to strengthen the fledgling alliance.