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.
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.
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.
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.