PremiumAjit Pawar took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Sunday. The move comes as a significant development in the state's political landscape.
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Maharashtra NCP president Jayant Patil on Sunday said his party has moved a disqualification petition against Ajit Pawar and eight others who took oath as ministers in the Eknath Shinde-led state government.
Addressing a press conference late Sunday, Patil said the disqualification petition has been sent to Speaker Rahul Narvekar.
He said an e-mail has also been sent to the Election Commission of India informing that the rank and file of the NCP is with party chief Sharad Pawar.
The party founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999 suffered a vertical split during the day after his nephew Ajit Pawar broke ranks and joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government as deputy chief minister.
Eight other NCP MLAs, including staunch Sharad Pawar loyalists like Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil, were made ministers.
Patil said these MLAs of the NCP "cannot be called traitors as their betrayal has not yet been proved". "Many are in touch with us", he said.
Whatever happened is painful. Sharad Pawar treated everyone like a family and he is our senior leader, I don't think speaking after his statement will be correct. His response was We are living in a democratic country where everyone has the right to speak for themselves and keep their points. Ajit Pawar's move is his own decision and point of view. My relationship with Ajit Pawar will not change, he will always remain my elder brother. We will rebuild the party, says NCP MP Supriya Sule on Ajit Pawar's revolt
Thoughts and hate are different things, NCP never had hate inside the party or any misunderstanding, Ajit Pawar had different thoughts and we have different ones. We respect our all MLAs. I always speak with party workers & leaders, I spoke with them yesterday also and tomorrow also I will speak with them (Party leaders & members), says NCP MP Supriya Sule
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Sunday night said Ajit Pawar, who has joined the Eknath Shinde-led government as Deputy Chief Minister with some leaders, doesn't have the support of 36 MLAs as being claimed.
Sunday seemed to be a special day for Maharashtra politics as Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar joined the Eknath Shinde-led government and became the Deputy Chief Minister for the third time since 2019.
Though this may have miffed the NCP, ironically Sharad Pawar did the same 45 years ago (1978), when he split the Congress and walked out with 40 MLAs, leading to the collapse of the Vasantdada Patil government.
Following this, he was sworn in as CM on July 18, 1978, of the Progressive Democratic Front, comprised of several opposition parties.
Amid the political development in Maharashtra, AIMIM National Spokesperson Waris Pathan alleged that become BJP's B team in the state.
Amid nine NCP leaders, including Ajit Pawar, joining the Eknath Shinde government, party chief Sharad Pawar has convened a meeting on July 5 in Mumbai to discuss the developments and the future course of action, its state unit chief Jayant Patil said on Sunday.
Hitting out at BJP, Shiv Sena (UT Faction) MP Sanjay Raut accused that the BJP is a party that like corruptors when they join their party. He also accused that BJP is breaking opposition parties and are making and breaking governments. "..."BJP is breaking opposition parties, they're making and breaking govts...the people who were accused of corruption by PM Modi, took oath today that means either those claims were wrong or BJP like corruptors when they join their party..," he said.
NCP working president Supriya Sule meets party workers following Ajit Pawar and 9 MLAs joined Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra cabinet on Sunday.
Hours after Ajit Pawar Eknath Shinde-led cabinet, along with 9 MLAs, NCP workers sprayed black paint on photos of those MLAs.
"From day one, opposition parties have been predicting the fall of the state government. Now, they must be very disappointed. I wonder which astrologer is giving them such advice," he said.
Speaking at a civic event where he arrived at 6pm instead of the scheduled 2pm, Shinde said he was late "as I was working on an operation", a light take on the political developments of the day.
“Clearly the BJP's Washing Machine has resumed its operations. A number of new entrants into the BJP-led alliance in Maharashtra today had been facing serious corruption charges with ED, CBI and Income Tax authorities after them. Now they have all got a clean chit. The Congress will intensify its efforts to free Maharashtra from the clutches of the BJP," he said.
“No words are enough to condemn the manner in which BJP has repeatedly undermined the popular mandate in Maharashtra. Not only is democracy being butchered but they are using the national anthem to provide cover for such disgraceful actions. On one hand, BJP is arresting political opponents on trumped-up corruption charges while they themselves are on an MLA purchasing spree. Hard-earned public money is being misused to quench BJPs' thirst for power," Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.
“We will work to strengthen the party again. MLAs and all senior leaders will sit together to decide about any action against the rebel leaders. Being the president, I had appointed Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare but they did not follow their responsibilities. Therefore, I have to take some action against them," said NCP chief Sharad Pawar.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar expresses gratitude to the PM for NCP members joining the NDA government, indicating that corruption allegations have been cleared.
“I am receiving several calls from a lot of people, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, WB CM Mamata Banerjee and others have called me. I am not worried about whatever happened today. Tomorrow, I will take the blessings of YB Chavan (former Maharashtra CM) and will hold a public meeting," said NCP chief Sharad Pawar.
“Two days ago the PM had said about NCP... He had said two things in his statement that NCP is a finished party. He mentioned irrigation complaint and allegations of corruption. I am happy that some of my colleagues have taken oath. From this (joining the NDA government) it is clear that all the charges have been cleared. I am thankful to him," said NCP chief Sharad Pawar.
Maharashtra has seen numerous political highs and lows since 2019 with multiple government changes and four swearing-in ceremonies.
"Narendra Modi is the biggest patron of corruption in the country," asserted AAP national spokesperson Sanjay Singh in a tweet. He noted that the ceremony had come two days after the prime minister gave a guarantee of action against corruption.
“We already knew that this was going to happen. Eknath Shinde and the 16 MLAs that went with him will be disqualified. Maharashtra will get another CM in a few days," said Uddhav Thackeray Faction MP Sanjay Raut
“They (opposition) are saying that we are here because we have cases against us and we are under pressure. Most of us either no longer have cases against us or the investigations are underway. The Court has not taken any coercive steps against us because there is nothing concrete against us. So saying that we joined because we were under pressure is not correct," said Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujabal.
“I resigned as Leader of Opposition on Friday, later expressed wish to work for party," said Ajit Pawar.
“Several people will criticise now a bit. We don't give value to that and we will keep working for the progress of Maharashtra and that is why we have taken this decision. Most of our MLAs are satisfied with this. We have supported this govt with NCP Party. We will contest all elections in the name of NCP only," he said.
'The oath-taking ceremony in Maharashtra was part of Operation Lotus and it has no official support of NCP. Those who took oath, it is their personal decision and not that of the NCP," said spokesperson Mahesh Tapase.
“We took a decision to come with the Shinde-Fadanvis govt with almost all MLAs of NCP. We took oath and a few other ministers will be added in the next expansion," said Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.
"40 out of 53 MLAs of NCP are supporting the state government," said Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule.
“Ajit Pawar decided to support our alliance. Now our strength has increased from 170 to 210. 40 MLAs of (NCP) are coming," added Maharashtra minister Uday Samant.
Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar led a rebellion of sorts on Sunday afternoon taking oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra under the Eknath Shinde administration. He was accompanied by nine MLAs who will now be allocated various portfolios under the NDA government in the state.
“Ajit Pawar has joined us today. He is a good administrator and I had said he should come with us and he has come today. Maharashtra government will do good work," said Maharashtra minister Deepak Kesarkar
“There is enough time to discuss about the seat sharing in the cabinet. We have come together to develop Maharashtra. They (the opposition) got 4-5 seats in Lok Sabha elections, this time they will not manage to get even those number of seats," said Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde.
“Now we have 1 Chief Minister and 2 Deputy Chief Ministers. The double-engine government has now become triple engine. For the development of Maharashtra, I welcome Ajit Pawar and his leaders. Ajit Pawar's experience will help strengthen Maharashtra," said Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde.
According to an ANI report quoting sources, MLAs accompanying Ajit Pawar to Raj Bhawan were upset with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar's 'unilateral' decision to share the stage and ally with Rahul Gandhi at the opposition unity meet in Bihar's Patna last month.
“The leaders who were in the opposition and used to criticise the government until yesterday, have joined the same government today. Today BJP wanted Ajit Pawar, so they took him, but we should not forget that BJP has a history to stab in the back," said Uddhav Thackeray faction leader and spokesperson Anand Dubey.
“More than 40 MLAs supporting Shinde government. Almost the entire NCP will be joining," said Maha minister Sudhir Mungantiwar on Sunday.
"Some people have taken up the task of cleaning up Maharashtra politics. Let them have their way. I just had a talk with Mr. Sharad Pawar. He said 'I am strong. We have the support of the people. We will rebuild everything again with Uddhav Thackeray.' Yes, people will not tolerate this game for long," tweeted Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut.
NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal has taken oath as Maharashtra Minister in the presence of CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis
“Ajit Pawar and other NCP MLAs have come here. An oath ceremony will be held here," said Maharashtra BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule.
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