The Maharashtra Congress, along with Sharad Pawar's NCP, and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena is planning a statewide tour to boost the morale of the Maha Vikas Aghadi workers in the wake of the rebellion by NCP leader Ajit Pawar. Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Tuesday said: "We are planning a tour of Maharashtra along with Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray." This comes amidst a crisis within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), as Congress leaders met with NCP chief Sharad Pawar to express their support and solidarity.
The NCP is undergoing a major crisis, following the decision of senior leader Ajit Pawar to join the Shiv Sena-BJP government as deputy chief minister, along with eight MLAs who were sworn in as ministers. The Ajit Pawar faction claims the backing of 40 out of 53 NCP MLAs.
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Following the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting, the state Congress president Nana Patole and working president Naseem Khan visited the YB Chavan Centre to meet Sharad Pawar. Patole, addressing reporters after the meeting, condemned the BJP's role in orchestrating the split within the NCP legislature party and affirmed that the MVA would remain united to defeat the BJP.
Balasaheb Thorat, the Congress Legislature Party leader, expressed confidence that the MVA would emerge stronger in the face of the ongoing crisis, as they have the support of the people. He emphasized the unity within the Congress and acknowledged Sharad Pawar as a senior leader whom they look up to for guidance. Naseem Khan announced that the MVA would soon commence a statewide tour to energize its members in their battle against the Eknath Shinde-BJP government. He stated that Congress stands in solidarity with Pawar and is committed to working together, reported news agency PTI.
An NCP spokesperson confirmed that Sharad Pawar is scheduled to embark on a tour of Nashik on July 8.