The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has taken a decisive step in response to the recent political crisis it found itself in Maharashtra. The party has sought the disqualification of Ajit Pawar, along with eight other party leaders, from the state assembly. This move comes after their defection to the Eknath Shinde-led government.
The NCP has submitted a petition to the assembly’s Speaker, Rahul Narvekar, and has also written to the Election Commission of India (EC) to clarify that Sharad Pawar, the party’s founder, remains the leader of the NCP and that there has been no change in leadership. They have urged the EC to hear their side before taking any action in response to Ajit Pawar’s camp.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra claims that Ajit Pawar has the support of over 40 out of the NCP’s 53 MLAs in the state assembly. To avoid violating the anti-defection law, Ajit Pawar needs the backing of more than 36 MLAs.
Ajit Pawar, accompanied by Praful Patel, a senior NCP leader appointed as the working president by Sharad Pawar, asserted that he has the support of the majority of the party. He also claimed the party’s name and symbol, similar to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde following the split in the Shiv Sena.
In response to his nephew’s defection, Sharad Pawar vowed to build new leadership within the party and take disciplinary action against those involved in the rebellion. He criticized NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare for deviating from the party’s principles.
Regarding Ajit Pawar’s claims of NCP support, Sharad Pawar stated that the truth will be revealed soon. He has called for a party leaders’ meeting on Monday to discuss the matter.
The NCP faced a significant split on Sunday when Ajit Pawar joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Additionally, eight other NCP MLAs, including loyalists like Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil, were appointed as ministers in the new government.
Despite these developments within the party, NCP’s working president Supriya Sule emphasized that they will not affect the unity of the opposition. She expressed her love for her brother, Ajit Pawar, despite their differing views.
The disqualification process and the response from the Election Commission will be crucial in determining the future course of action for the NCP and its leadership. The upcoming party leaders’ meeting will also be a significant event to watch as it will shed light on the internal dynamics and strategies of the NCP.
The NCP’s move to seek disqualification highlights the party’s determination to maintain its integrity and discipline, even in the face of political challenges. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the NCP and its leaders will navigate the current crisis and emerge stronger.
