Ajit Pawar Rebellion: Sharad Pawar Says Will Rebuild NCP, Accuses BJP Govt Of Misusing Power

Ajit Pawar’s decision to side with the Shinde-Fadnavis government was his “personal” one and that his words have no importance, said NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

A day after his party faced rebellion, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Monday said that he will rebuild the party and that he has the support of people. “If the love of the public continues, then we will change the entire scenario,” he said. He said that Ajit Pawar’s decision to side with the Shinde-Fadnavis government was his “personal” one and that his words have no importance. On Sunday, Sharad Pawar’s nephew and NCP leader Ajit Pawar broke the rank and file of the party and took oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Along with him, Sharad Pawar loyalists Chagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil were among the eight NCP leaders who also took oath as ministers in the Shinde-Fadnavis cabinet. 

Senior Pawar also targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party saying a rift is being created among people in the state and the country by some groups in the name of caste and religion.

He hinted at his nephew joining forces with BJP and said, "Some of our people fell prey to BJP's tactics to break other parties. Attempts are being made to create communal divide in Maharashtra and the country. We need to fight forces that create fear among peace-loving citizens. We need to protect democracy in the country."

He continued by saying, "We were serving Maharashtra under Uddhav Thackeray but our government was toppled by some people. The same happened in some other parts of the country too in Delhi, Punjab and West Bengal where the governments are working democratically, are being attacked," as reported by ANI.

Following the rebellion, Sharad Pawar will tour within the state starting from Shivneri. Pawar will hold the first meeting in Dilip Walse Patil's constituency while the second meeting will be held in Dhananjay Munde's Parli assembly constituency.

Meanwhile, NCP's Maharashtra president Jayant Patil while talking to ANI said, "We have sent a petition to the Assembly speaker last night. We requested him to hear us. Our party's strength in the Assembly is 53, of which 9 have defected, the rest all are with us. We will give them a fair chance to come back but will take action against those who do not come back."