Pawar vs Pawar- Ajit Pawar has edge over Sharad Pawar in NCP vs NCP numbers game
Lot of twists and turns in the new developments in Maharashtra. NCP vs NCP
squeaker amplified into a numbers game on Wednesday as Sharad Pawar and his now estranged nephew Ajit Pawar held separate meetings in a show of strength.
As of now, Ajit Pawar, who split the Nationalist Congress Party to join the Eknath Shinde-led NDA government as deputy chief minister along with 8 other party MLAs, seems to have the edge in the numbers game.
He needs the backing of 36 MLAs to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law.
Whereas, the NCP has 53 MLAs in the Maharashtra assembly.
Sharad Pawar, who was the architect of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance comprising the Congress and the Uddhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena, faces a tough battle to keep hold on the party he had founded in 1999.
He has not given up and has vowed to fight back to rebuild the party.
Ajit Pawar appeared to be ahead in number game with more NCP MLAs supporting him than his uncle and party president Sharad Pawar.
Sources in both factions indicate that as many as 32 of the 53 NCP MLAs attended the meeting called by Ajit Pawar group, while 18 MLAs were present at the conclave addressed by the NCP chief.
Chhagan Bhujbal, who is a key leader in the Ajit Pawar camp, claimed that more than 40 MLAs and MLCs are in their camp. “Adding they have done all the due diligence before taking the oath and never took oath just like that.
Ajit Pawar took a swipe at his uncle urging him to step down and give a chance to the new generation stating that even leaders of the BJP retire at the age of 75.
That Sharad Pawar portrayed him (Ajit) as a villain in front of everyone. Ajit still has deep respect for him (Sharad Pawar)..Ajit asked Sharad Pawar to tell him that, IAS officers retire at 60…even in politics – BJP leaders retire at 75. You Sharad Pawar, can see the example of LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi…That allows the new generation to rise…”
“You (Sharad Pawar) give us your blessings…The other day, he went to YB Chavan memorial…Ajit was also been but you (Sharad Pawar) is 83, aren’t you going to stop?…Give us your blessings and we will pray that you live a long life,” said the Deputy chief minister while addressing party legislators and other workers in Bandra.
Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar objected to his big photo adorning the stage at a parallel meeting of the party convened by Ajit Pawar, and said those using his image are aware that they have nothing else.
Sharad Pawar mentioned that Just few days ago, they (Ajit Pawar) derided chief minister Eknath Shinde, saying they haven’t seen such a CM in all these years, but today they have joined him. Recalling his connect with the masses when he set up NCP in 1999, Pawar said, “today the party may not be in power, but we are in people’s hearts.
Reports reveal that14 MLAs were present at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in South Mumbai where Sharad Pawar held a meeting. NCP working president and MP, Supriya Sule, Anil Deshmukh and Jayant Patil were among the prominent leaders with the Sharad Pawar camp.
Senior party leader Praful Patel, who is now backing Ajit Pawar, claims the support of the “bulk” of the party’s legislators and has said there was “no need to worry.” Praful Patel was till now one of the most trusted aides of Sharad Pawar and was recently made the working president of the party.
The Ajit Pawar faction has approached the Election Commission with over 40 affidavits of MLAs and MPs in his support. The Sharad Pawar camp has filed a caveat with the poll authority urging it to hear them first before passing any directive in connection with the factional fight. The Election Commission is likely to process applications in the coming days and ask both the sides to exchange the respective documents submitted before it.
News input KV Raman
