New Delhi: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday described himself as the national president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), as his faction completed 100 days in the Maharashtra government.


His remarks came amid the ECI's hearing on the split within the Nationalist Congress Party.


He also defended his move to join the Eknath Shinde government, saying several top politicians took a "different stand" in the state's political history, reported PTI.


On July 2, Ajit Pawar took oath as the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, the day he joined the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government along with eight other NCP MLAs.


As he completed 100 days in office on Tuesday, Pawar, who described himself as the national president of the NCP, said employment, economic empowerment of all sections of the society, education, health, implementation of all welfare measures are the priority of the government.


In a statement, he said, "NCP is committed to achieving these goals by using the medium of power. Criticism is part and parcel of any politician's life. I always take cognisance of constructive criticism. I believe in positive and developmental politics. Taking any work to its logical end and bringing positive change in the lives of people is what I believe in," he said.


The NCP believes in the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Shahu Maharaj, Dr B R Ambedkar and Yashwantao Chavan. Under my leadership, the party will continue this legacy, Pawar said.


He further stated, "In the political history of Maharashtra, several top leaders have taken a different political stand. Every political leader takes a stand depending on the prevailing political and social situation."


"NCP, under my leadership, took a similar position on July 2, 2023 and joined the state government," he added.


The NCP will work for farmers, youth, women and for protecting the rights of different sections of the society, he said.


"We have trodden on this path for 100 days and will continue to do so," he said.


The Election Commission on Monday heard the claims of the Ajit Pawar-led faction over its claim on the NCP's name and poll symbol, even as the Sharad Pawar-led group contended that there were discrepancies in the documents submitted by its rival.


The EC fixed November 9 as the next date for hearing the warring factions of the NCP led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar over their claims to the party's name and election symbol.