NCP's Ajit Pawar Sworn In As Maharashtra Deputy CM, Breaks Away 29 MLAs From Party

NCP leader Ajit Pawar on Sunday joined Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde camp and was sworn in as the Deputy CM of the state.

Ajit Pawar joins Shinde camp, sowrn in as Maharashtra Deputy CM

Source : PTI

In a big development ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar joined the Shive Sena (Eknath Shinde) camp on Sunday and has been sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Pawar has also brought 29 MLAs from NCP to the Shinde faction in a big political move and has resigned as the Leader of the Opposition. Speculations were rife that he had the support of 29 of 53 NCP MLAs and a meeting of top leaders was held at his residence at his residence.

Apart from Ajit Pawar, eight other NCP MLAs have also been sworn in as ministers in the state cabinet. The names of the newly inducted ministers are Hassan Mushrif, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil, Dhananjay Munde, Aditi Tatkare, Sanjay Baburao Bansode, Anil Bhaidas  Patil and Dharmarao Atram.

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@rounakview , @rajeshtripath1 की रिपोर्ट
https://t.co/smwhXUROiK#AjitPawar #SharadPawar #CMEkantShinde #MVA #NCP #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/BlAEpvKLLW

— ABP News (@ABPNews) July 2, 2023

Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, Maharashtra Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said that over 40 MLAs are extending support to the Shiv Sena-BJP government in the state.

"Almost the entire NCP will be joining. Ajit Pawar's post will be decided by CM Eknath Shinde. He will distribute the portfolios. The oath-taking ceremony will begin in 5 minutes," Mungantiwar said.

#WATCH | Maharashtra Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, says "More than 40 MLAs are extending support to the government. Almost the entire NCP will be joining. Ajit Pawar's post will be decided by CM Eknath Shinde. He will distribute the portfolios. The oath-taking ceremony will begin… pic.twitter.com/2XOmlzNgi8

— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2023

News agency ANI reported citing sources that some MLAs accompanying NCP leader Ajit Pawar to Raj Bhawan were “upset” with Sharad Pawar’s “unilateral” decision to share stage and ally with Rahul Gandhi at the opposition unity meet in Patna.

Ajit Pawar's joining the Shinde BJP government is in a way making the BJP's side stronger. In such a situation, BJP is reaching the majority figure even without the support of the Shinde faction. At present, the government has the support of 166 MLAs, including 125 MLAs from the BJP and 40 from the Shinde camp. If 30 MLAs of the Ajit Pawar camp join hands with the BJP, it will have the support of 156 MLAs, which will be 11 more than the majority.

NCP working president Supriya Sule, party leader Praful Patel and others also attended the meeting at Ajit Pawar's residence. It was speculated that after the change in the national executive of the NCP, there may be a change in the Maharashtra unit as well. Leaders like Dilip Walse Patil, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde, and Daulat Dorada also reached to attend the meeting. According to sources, all the MLAs in the meeting have demanded in one voice that Ajit Pawar should be made the state president of the party. 

At present, Jayant Patil is handling the responsibility of the post of State President of NCP for the last five years. 

Notably, Ajit Pawar had expressed his desire to become the state president a few days ago. If sources are to be believed, Ajit Pawar was trying to put pressure on party chief Sharad Pawar.

After the meeting, Ajit Pawar and other leaders reached Raj Bhawan where Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde has also come.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: NCP leader Ajit Pawar along with other party leaders reaches Raj Bhawan. pic.twitter.com/PPbGn2oVeQ

— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2023

#WATCH | Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde reaches Raj Bhawan where NCP leader Ajit Pawar and other NCP leaders are present. pic.twitter.com/Bjjl2V6Pvg

— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2023

Here Are Leaders Who Reached Ajit Pawar's House For Meeting

Dilip Walse Patil 

Hassan Mushrif 

Chhagan Bhujbal 

Kiran Lahmate 

Nilesh Lanke 

Dhananjay Munde 

Ramraje Nimbalkar 

Daulat Daroda 

Makrand Patil 

Anul Benke 

Sunil Tingre 

Amol Mitkari 

Aditi Tatkare 

Amol Kolhe 

Shekhar Nikam 

Nilay Naik 

Last month, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar made a major change and handed over the reins of the party to his daughter Supriya Sule and Praful Patel. Both were made the working president of the party. This decision was seen as a setback for Ajit Pawar.