Following indications that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) would take an aggressive stand at Wednesday's cabinet meeting on the exit policy concerning special economic zones, the Congress attempted to work out a solution with its ally a day earlier.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar had a long meeting on Tuesday. Sources close to Chavan said he expected Pawar's cooperation at the cabinet meeting on the new industrial policy.

When the policy comes up for approval on Wednesday, NCP ministers are likely to demand changes in the draft. A minister said the party would ask that 15% of the developed land in former SEZs be given back to farmers, who were the original land owners.

Sources said the CM is now willing to consider the NCP's reservations on the clause that permits land to be used for commercial and residential purpose.