Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar expressed disappointment on Sunday after some of his party colleagues, including his nephew Ajit Pawar, took a different stance ahead of an important meeting scheduled for July 6. Further slamming the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pawar stated that the PM only a few days ago stated that the NCP is a finished party and that the previous party members validated his claims.
This follows a sudden development that had the Maharashtra political circle stunned until Sunday morning. Slogans were raised in Raj Bhavan in support of Ajit Pawar as he took the oath as Maharashtra's deputy chief minister third time since 2019.
Pawar also stated that he will hold a public meeting tomorrow (July 3) after seeking the blessings of former Chief Minister YB Chavan. "Many people have called me," the NCP supremo said, referring to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and others. I'm not concerned about what occurred today. "I will hold a public meeting tomorrow with the blessings of YB Chavan (former Maharashtra Chief Minister)," he said, according to ANI.
In 2019, Ajit Pawar was sworn in as deputy chief minister, while Fadnavis was sworn in as chief minister. The Maha Vikas Aghadi government, led by Uddhav Thackeray, succeeded it, with Ajit Pawar serving as deputy chief minister once more. The post was sent to him again on Sunday, and he will share it with Devendra Fadnavis this time.
Pawar said of his nephew's decision, "The party I led in 1980 had 58 MLAs; later, all of them left, and only 6 MLAs remained, but I strengthened the party's numbers, and those who left me lost in their constituencies."
The NCP supremo also lashed out at the MLAs who joined Ajit Pawar and became ministers in the government with him, saying, "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."
Pawar expressed his faith in people, especially in the youth of the state. He said: "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".
Sanjay Raut: Sharad Pawar Unfazed By Party Split, Can Begin Anew, Amidst Political Upheaval
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said on Saturday that NCP Chief Sharad Pawar is unafraid of the party's split and is willing to start over.
"I just spoke with NCP Sharad Pawar," Raut tweeted. "He stated that he is firm and that the public is behind us. With Uddhav Thackeray, we can start over." Raut stated that the people of Maharashtra will not tolerate such a "circus" for long, a clear reference to government formation through vertical splits in political parties.
"Some people appear to be determined to destabilising Maharashtra's politics." Let them continue on their chosen path," Raut said, referring to Ajit Pawar, CM Shinde, and the Bharatiya Janata Party.