Several political leaders including Aaditya Thackeray, CM Eknath Shinde, LoP Vijay Wadettiwar, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey reacted to the verdict which came as a major setback for the Sharad Pawar camp.
Reacting to the ruling, Maharashtra LoP Vijay Wadettiwar said that the homeowner has been forced onto the streets and the tenant has been made the owner of the house.
"Ajit Pawar has been recognised as the leader of the party, but originally it was founded by Sharad Pawar. He worked really hard to build this party. It's like the homeowner has been forced onto the streets and the tenant has been made the owner of the house," he said.
NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Jitendra Awhad said "The law has been trampled on. He (Speaker) doesn't have to do anything. He just had to play games. I would like to tell the people of Maharashtra that after this Constitution will be violated and that too, at this temple of law".
The NCP was split in July last year after Ajit Pawar along with eight other MLAs joined the state government under the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and BJP, resulting in the cross-petitions.
Maharashtra CM and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde congratulated Ajit Pawar and said that the Speaker's decision was given based on majority and merit. "I congratulate Ajit Pawar. The Speaker's decision was given based on majority and merit. I welcome this decision," he said.
Lashing out at the Speaker, Aditya Thackeray said that Narwekar made a big joke of the democracy with his ruling. "The speaker, in role of the tribunal should try stand up comedy. He seems to be great at making a big joke of the democracy and constitutional values we uphold," he said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey said, "Earlier the Election Commission said that the Ajit Pawar-led faction was the real NCP. Now Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar has also agreed that the real NCP is the one led by Ajit Pawar and his supporters. The country is watching how you are misusing power. Our party Shiv Sena has already approached the Supreme Court and now Sharad Pawar will do the same. Remember this, till the honourable Supreme Court is there, nobody will face injustice.”
On the other hand, the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP welcomed the verdict with celebrations. State cabinet minister and NCP (Ajit faction) leader Anil Bhaidas told ANI, "We are delighted. We welcome the decision. The Election Commission had also given its decision. As far as numbers are concerned, 41 were here on paper but the truth is that the number is higher and it will go further higher".
Ajit-Led Faction Is 'Real' NCP, Rules Maha Speaker
The Maharashtra Speaker on Thursday ruled that the faction headed by Ajit Pawar is the real Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The Speaker while pronouncing the verdict said there has been two parallel claims by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar since June 30 last year.
"In the present matter, there is no dispute as to the relevant NCP constitution. Both the parties have placed reliance on the constitution and rules annexed as Annexure R-1 and R-2 to the reply filed by the Constitution. The said NCP constitution is taken into account for identifying the leadership structure of the NCP," Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar said in his verdict on the disqualification petitions.
The Speaker's decision was based on the factor of legislative majority. "In the present situation, the legislative majorities are undisputed," the Speaker said. Ajit Pawar had the support of 41 MLAs of the party.
