Maharashtra: NCP Leader Sharad Pawar To Launch Statewide Campaign For Support After Ajit Pawar's Rebellion

Sharad Pawar launched his statewide tour for gathering support for his party today from Nashik. Maharashtra politics saw a new development as the Nationalist Congress Party split into two when Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs took oath in the Eknath Shinde government on July 2. 

Sharad Pawar who is the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party aims to rebuild his party from the ground by launching a mission where he would visit constituencies across the state, especially the ones where NCP MLAs have joined the coalition government. Reportedly, he will visit  Nashik, Pune Solapur and parts of the Vidarbha region which are the constituencies of Chagan Bhujbal, Dhananjay Mundem and other rebel NCP MLAs.

During the campaign launch, Sharad Pawar referred to the remark by Ajit Pawar regarding his age and that he should retire. 

A couple of days earlier, Ajit Pawar told the media, "You portrayed me as a villain in front of everyone. I still have deep respect for him (Sharad Pawar)...But you tell me, IAS officers retire at 60...even in politics - BJP leaders retire at 75. You can see the example of LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi...That allows the new generation to rise."

Replying to that Sharad Pawar used the famous quote once told by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, "Na tired hu, na retired hu." Pawar added, "who are they to tell me to retire? I can still work."

Reports said that Senior NCP leader Praful Patel spoke about Ajit Pawar being appointed as the party president unanimously 30 days before his big move of joining the coalition government happened. 

Patel told the media, "The decisions taken by the Sharad Pawar group, expelling or disqualifying leaders of the Ajit Pawar faction, were illegal and not applicable."

According to the reports, Ajit Pawar has claimed the name and symbol of NCP from the Election Commission as he calls his faction the real NCP and so far he has the support of 32 MLAs, while Sharad Pawar has 14 MLAs on his side. Before the poll body considers the claim, Ajit Pawar would need 36 MLAs which would be two-thirds of the 53 NCP legislators. 

On the other hand, reports say that Sharad Pawar has objected to Ajit Pawar's claim for the party symbol and wrote to the election body. It is said that he would be taking legal advice and consulting with his party leaders regarding their next move.

What is happening in the Shiv Sena factions?

Newly appointed Deputy Chief Minister of the state Ajit Pawar recently spoke about his wish to become the Chief Minister of the state triggering friction in the Maharashtra political circles, especially the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde MLAs who are reportedly not so happy with the NCP's induction in the government. According to the reports, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have met in the last two days to discuss this issue. 

Reportedly Fadnavis informed the media that the cabinet expansion would take place once Ajit Pawar joins the ruling coalition in Maharashtra and he claimed, "The BJP does not break other parties, but there will be no opposition to those who believe in Modi's leadership and want to come along."

Meanwhile, reports also said that Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray told the media, "I have heard that Eknath Shinde has been asked to resign and there might be some change in the government."

Shiv Sena(UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also informed the media that nearly 20 MLAs from the Eknath Shinde faction have contacted them after Ajit Pawar joined the government, he reportedly said, "Since Ajit Pawar and other NCP leaders joined the government, 17-18 MLAs from the Shinde camp have contacted us."

Eknath Shinde reportedly said, "With our government now made up of three parties, the strength of our MLAs is more than 200. Our government is only getting stronger. We have the support of PM Modi and Amit Shah."