Mumbai: The Day 4 of the crisis in the Nationalist Congress Party was marked by the revelation that Ajit Pawar's camp had removed Sharad Pawar from the party's top post two days before the rebellion became public. Ajit Pawar was elected the new NCP chief on June 30, his camp informed the Election Commission.
Earlier in the day, Ajit Pawar expressed his ambition of becoming the chief minister while his uncle Sharad Pawar gave a point-by-point rebuttal to the rebels. Sharad Pawar has also called a meeting of the working committee in Delhi on Thursday.
The rift appeared last week when Ajit Pawar quit as the Leader of the Opposition and joined the BJP-Shiv Sena government. He now shares the Deputy Chief Minister post with BJP's Devendra Fadnavis.
Here are the Highlights on Maharashtra Politics Crisis:
Ajit Pawar Camp Claims Independent MLA, Earlier Backing His Uncle, Now With Them
Devendra Bhuyar, an independent MLA who was present with Sharad Pawar this morning, met Ajit Pawar this evening. Ajit Pawar faction claims Mr Bhuyar is now supporting their faction.
Sharad Pawar Calls Key Meeting In Delhi TomorrowThe Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP has called a working committee meeting at 6 pm in Delhi tomorrow. Sharad Pawar and NCP working president Supriya Sule will attend the meeting.
The Significance Of The Date June 30 In Ajit Pawar's MoveThe Ajit Pawar faction had informed the Election Commission that the rebel leader was elected the NCP chief through a resolution on June 30. According to the Supreme Court order in the Shiv Sena case, legislative parties cannot function independently of political party, which means a group of MLAs cannot claim to have taken a decision unilaterally and seek shelter under the anti-defection law citing the support of majority of MLAs. In order to negate this legal hurdle, Ajit Pawar was first appointed the NCP chief, which meant his camp is the political party. So, not just Ajit Pawar as legislative party head of NCP decided to join the Shinde government in Maharashtra but also the political party, NCP, headed by Ajit Pawar.
Important Dates
June 30: Ajit Pawar appointed NCP chief
July 2: His camp joins the cabinet.
July 5: His camp moves EC staking claim to NCP name and symbol
Ajit Pawar Elected NCP Chief On June 30, Says Note By Rebel Camp"A resolution dated 30th June 2023 signed by overwhelming majority of members of NCP, both from the legislative and organisational wing was passed thereby electing Shri Ajit Anantrao Pawar as the President of NCP," reads a note by the Ajit Pawar camp.
"At present, the entire structure of the NCP including the post of President is heavily flawed inasmuch as none of the appointments has been made in terms of the provisions of the NCP Constitution. No election process for any post including that of the President has been followed," the note further said.
Not Sharad Pawar, Nephew Ajit Now NCP Chief, His Camp Informs Election Body
Ajit Pawar has been elected the new national president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the faction led by the rebel leader has informed the Election Commission. This essentially means Sharad Pawar, who had founded the party in 1999, has been removed from the top party post.
"Let's Start Once Again...": Sharad Pawar's Poetic End To Long Speech
"After the darkest hour, comes dawn. So let's start once again with new hope," Sharad Pawar ends his long and emotional speech with a line from a poetry, with a hope for starting his party anew.
"Don't Worry Over Those Who Left, Let's Give New Leadership To State": Sharad Pawar"Inflation and women's security are big issues. In the last 6 months, the data says 4,000 women went missing in Maharashtra. If the women and girls in the state aren't safe, how can they govern the state? This is the state of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. We can't go with them (BJP), we need to throw them out of power and we will strengthen NCP. Today's discussion is who has how many MLAs. I don't pay attention to this. In the past I had 68 MLAs. When I went out for sometime, 62 left us, I had just 6. I said don't worry, we kept working and later in the election, out of 62, only 4 could come back and we gave new faces. That's why don't worry of those who left, let's look ahead and until we are together, let's give a new leadership to Maharashtra," says Sharad Pawar.
Sharad Pawar's Long Explanation On Why He Won't Back BJP
"Whatever you decided today, if you would have taken the decision by speaking to us, it would have been better. Remember what happened with these parties and I don't think something different would happen with you. Now they say if we can go with Shiv Sena, then why not with BJP? There's a difference between Shiv Sena and BJP. During Emergency, Balasaheb Thackeray backed Emergency. During election, Shiv Sena didn't appoint a single candidate and supported Congress. During Indira Gandhi's reign, Shiv Sena backed Congress. Yes, Shiv Sena also follows Hindutva, but they take everyone together, that's their Hindutva. BJP's Hindutva is about dividing people, poisonous, Manuwadi and dangerous. They divide people, that's BJP'S hindutva. In the state, we saw a lot of riots. It happened in Shahu Maharaj's Kolhapur, Nanded and other places. Everyone knows who was behind this riot. Wherever you aren't in power, divide people and come in power is what they believe in. People who divide on the basis of religion and caste, they can't be the one who loves the country. That's why we can't go with someone who believes in this," says Sharad Pawar.
"BJP Destroys Parties That Form Government With Them": Sharad Pawar
"People who have went with BJP, look at their history. The Akali Dal formed a government in Punjab, but they are not in government. In Punjab, the unity of Akali Dal was disturbed. Similar things happened in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Nitish Kumar had to take a decision in Bihar. There are several such states where parties who formed government with the BJP, they destroyed that party," says Sharad Pawar.
"Yes We Rebelled In Past": Sharad Pawar Explains Janata Party Formation
"They now say that even Sharad Pawar had rebelled in the past, yes we did. We did with the support of all Congress leaders. They asked me to take the lead. The party wasn't BJP, it was Janta Party and because of them, under the leadership of Morarji Desai, the party was formed. Now they say what's wrong if we went with BJP. They gave example of Nagaland. Yes, in Nagaland, our 7 MLAs are with the BJP. Nagaland is a bordering state with another country. States that share the border with China and Pakistan, we have to think a lot. The other country could take some benefit, that's why we gave support from outside. Here they formed the government and gave this example, I cannot agree with this example," says Sharad Pawar.
Sharad Pawar Targets Rival Camp, Says "Not Feeling Good"
A Deputy Chief Minister of BJP had earlier said that Vidarbh should be separate. He has been saying this again and again in the past. What happened now? Today, a few of our people went there. We aren't feeling good. 10 days ago, the same people said that we never saw such a Chief Minister in the history of Maharashtra. Now they are doing Namaskaar to the same Chief Minister," says Sharad Pawar.
"Later I Saw Him...": Sharad Pawar On Conversation With Leader Who Changed Camp
"A person went to jail, we tried to get him out. During elections some people told us don't give him ticket, I said no, there has been injustice against him, we gave him ticket. When our government was formed, he (Chhagan Bhujbal) was the first person to take oath. I got a call 3 days back from him, when I asked what's happening, he said I will check and let you know. Later I saw him taking oath at 3 pm," says Sharad Pawar.
"They Call Me Guru, They Know It Won't Work Without My Photo": Sharad Pawar
"Some people gave speeches today, they called me Guru. In today's meeting of theirs, the biggest photo they used was of mine. They used several posters across Maharashtra and used my photo. They know that it won't work without my photo. That's why they are using it. They call me Pandurang and guru and say that I didn't pay attention to them. This is funny," says Sharad Pawar.
"Party Symbol Will Be With Us, It Won't Go Anywhere": Sharad Pawar
"I will give my own example. We were in Congress. Later, we decided to form a new party. We left the Congress party office. We could have kept it, but we didn't. But in Nashik, with the help of police, they took control of the party office. And they say that this is our party. Let me tell you that the party symbol will be with us, it won't go anywhere," says Sharad Pawar.
"I have contested on a number of symbols, and later we got the clock as symbol of NCP. If someone says they will take our symbol, the symbol won't go anywhere. If the ideology of the party is with the workers, we don't have to worry," he adds.
"You Went Without Taking Party Workers In Confidence": Sharad Pawar"Now MLAs and MPs of the current government call us in private and say several things. I saw Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narsimha Rao, Manmohan Singh, MPs used to meet and express the administration issues of their areas and no one used to take it personally. Now no one says anything. How will the country run like this?" asks Sharad Pawar.
"In Maharashtra some people wanted to go a separate way. I don't like it, I feel sad that they went away. Because of the workers, the good days began. But without taking their own workers in confidence, they compromised with the ideology of the party. Yesterday in Nashik, in the party's office, some people tried to create ruckus. Whose party is it? NCP. Are you a part of NCP? You yourself say I am part of NCP. If someone tomorrow says I am part of Congress, Shiv Sena, does it have any value?" adds Sharad Pawar
"If NCP Is Bad, Why Did You Take It In Government", Asks Sharad Pawar
"In MP, PM Modi said that Congress did corruption, NCP did corruption of 70,000 crore. PM has a specialiity, he came to Baramati once and said he learnt from me how to run the government and the administration. Later, he made several allegations against me. If someone has done something wrong, take action against them. But they didn't take any action against anyone. He is the leader of a party, but he is also the leader of the country and he should think what he is speaking and if it is true. He doesn't do that. If NCP is bad, why did you take NCP in government? This government says whatever they want and create a atmosphere among the masses," says Sharad Pawar.
"Restlessness In Several Parts Of Country": Sharad Pawar
"There's restlessness in several parts of the country. We tried a new experiment that if we want democracy to be alive, we need to have a dialogue and the first dialogue we began with the opposition. In Bihar, the leaders of opposition parties were present. We will once again come together in Bengaluru on 17-18. While we were doing this, those who were in government became restless," says Sharad Pawar.
"We Have To Go Ahead, There Are Lot Of Challenges": Sharad Pawar
"We have to go ahead. There are a lot of challenges. I have worked with a lot of leaders in the central government. From Manmohan Singh to other leaders, I have worked with them. I have seen the way they work. In the last many years people used to find solution of the problems. I have been the Chief Minister of Maharashtra four times. My way of functioning used to be that even for a small decision, we used to speak to the people. If there's any issue with the decision, we would find a solution. This is not the attitude of the current government. We are not in the government, we are in opposition," says Sharad Pawar.
"NCP Workers From Common Family Were Able To Run Government": Sharad Pawar
"Today's meeting is historic. The entire country is seeing this meeting. In your presence, 24 years ago, NCP was formed in Mumbai. The meeting happened at Shanmukhanand hall and in the evening lakhs of people were present in Shivaji Park. In the last 24 years, NCP has been able to reach out to every nook and corner of the state. Some became MLA, Ministers, MPs. Even workers from a common family were able to run the government. New leaders were created and we had only one motto to take Maharashtra ahead," says Sharad Pawar.
"Those Switched Left Ideology Of Phule": Jayant Patil Of Sharad Pawar Camp
"Sharad Pawar has given many opportunities to a lot of them. But today many have switched sides and left the ideology of Phule and are sitting next to those who insulted Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule. When they had to take oath under Uddhav Thackeray in 2019, Mr Thackeray asked Mr Pawar to give him two names. Mr Pawar took Bhujbal's name first. Now there is a gang who is trying to steal the parties, first Shiv Sena and now NCP. Those they don't like, they are trying to finish them off," says Jayant Patil.
Live: Sharad Pawar Addresses Supporters
Sharad Pawar is addressing supporters amid a mutiny and a show of strength by his newphew Ajit Pawar.
Watch live here Maharashtra Politics News Live Updates: "Sharad Pawar Stood By Us During Our Struggles": Jayant Patil
"We are unhappy that some are not with us. There could be any reason why they left but even during the struggles, Sharad Pawar has stood by us. Let me tell you one thing, I know it has been five years and a month for me, I told (Sharad Pawar) saheb, I haven't taken any holiday in these many years, I told him that I need some break. I have met a lot of workers in these years even went to all talukas and districts even where we never became victorious," says Jayant Patil.
Maharashtra Politics News Live: "Disrespect Us, But Not Our Father (Sharad Pawar)": Supriya Sule
"Disrespect us, but not our father (Sharad Pawar). This fight is against the BJP government. BJP is the most corrupt party in the country," says NCP working president Supriya Sule, in Mumbai. The original NCP is with Sharad Pawar and the original symbol is us, adds Ms Sule.
(ANI)
Why Should Sharad Pawar Due To Age? - Supriya Sule
"Some people are saying that people who are senior now should give us blessings. Why should they stop working? Ratan Tata is 86 years old. Serum Institute's Poonawala's age is 84. Amitabh Bachchan is 82. Warren Buffet. Farooq Abdullah, he said I am fighting, he should also fight," said Supriya Sule.
"Felt Like Laughing When I Saw The Scene At Opposition Meet": Praful Patel
"I went to the joint opposition meeting in Patna with Sharad Pawar and I felt like laughing when I saw the scene there. There were 17 opposition parties there, seven of them have only one MP in the Lok Sabha and there is one party which has no MPs. These parties claim they will bring change. This decision to join NDA was taken to protect interests of our nation and the party, and not for personal benefits," said Praful Patel.
"Even I Want To Be Chief Minister": Ajit Pawar
"We will have the name and symbol of the party with us. I have been the Deputy Chief Minister for record times but I don't go ahead. Even I want to be a Chief Minister. Our highest has been 71 in 2004, now we are not even a national party. We will break that record too. Now they are saying the first Sabha will happen at Dilip Walse Patil's constituency. What is his fault? If he goes, I will also go and do a Sabha in seven days. Even I can go and even I know to speak," says Ajit Pawar
Ajit Pawar News Live: Ajit Pawar Races Ahead Of Uncle, Says Want To Be Chief Minister
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar today said that he aspires to be the Maharashtra Chief Minister one day. His remark comes just days after he led a mutiny against his uncle and party chief Sharad Pawar.
Ajit Pawar, Backed By 28 MLAs, Approaches Poll Panel For NCP Name, Symbol
The factional fight of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has reached the doorstep of the Election Commission with the group led by Ajit Pawar filing over 40 affidavits of MLAs and MPs in his support.
Ajit Pawar News Live:Ajit Pawar addresses media:
- Today whatever I'm, it's just because of Sharad Pawar. He is my ideal and there is no doubt about it
- There is a cycle, a new leadership comes up every 25 years
- Our dream is to make Maharashtra no. 1
- Switched for development, not personal gain
NCP Crisis: "We will see huge supporters joining Sharad Pawar": NCP leader Anil Deshmukh
Ahead of the meeting called by two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra, Former Maharashtra Home Minister and NCP leader Anil Deshmukh on Wednesday said that they'd see huge supporters joining NCP chief Sharad Pawar.
Talking to the media at YB Chavan Centre, Mr Deshmukh said, "We will see a huge number of supporters joining Sharad Pawar when he will go out of Maharashtra".
The two factions of NCP have called separate meetings on Wednesday in an apparent show of strength.
Supporters of NCP chief Sharad Pawar have gathered outside YB Chavan Centre ahead of the meeting called by the party chief.
Ajit Pawar News Live: Ajit Pawar unfurls party flag ahead of meeting; "We have everyone with us," says Praful PatelLeader of Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction, Praful Patel, on Wednesday, claimed the support of the "bulk" of the party's legislators stating there was "no need to worry."
Arriving to attend a party meeting called by Maharashtra Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in Bandra, Mr Patel told reporters, "We have everyone with us. There is no need to worry"
Supriya Sule reaches YB Chavan Centre for meeting called by Sharad Pawar The crisis in NCP is escalating with the two factions calling separate meetings on Wednesday in an apparent show of strength.
Supporters of NCP chief Sharad Pawar have gathered outside YB Chavan Centre ahead of the meeting called by the party chief.
NCP working president and MP, Supriya Sule also reached YB Chavan Centre in Mumbai.
Maharashtra Politics Live Updates:
Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) leader Sanjay Shirsat, says "In politics when our rival gang wants to join us, we have to take them in and that is what BJP did. After NCP joined us, people in our group were upset because some of our leaders will not get their desired position. It is not true that all our leaders are happy with NCP joining us. We have informed CM and Dy CM and they will have to resolve this issue...We were always against NCP and even today we are against Sharad Pawar. Udhhav Thackeray was used by Sharad Pawar as the CM. NCP (Sharad Pawar) used to run the government when Uddhav was the CM... Eknath Shinde will decide the course of action now"
Maharashtra Politics News Live:
NCP MLA Rohit Pawar says "EVM machines are checked 5-6 months before Lok Sabha or state elections and 4 days ago Maharashtra officials have been instructed to start manufacturing EVM machines. This indicates that Lok Sabha elections and Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha can be conducted in December 2023. The main reason for this is the loss of BJP in Karnataka elections"
Sharad Pawar News Live: All NCP Workers With Sharad Pawar, Says Jitendra Awhad
Newly appointed Maharashtra Leader of Opposition and National Congress Party (NCP) leader Jitendra Awhad expressed strong disapproval over the NCP Ajit Pawar faction using Sharad Pawar's photo at their party office saying that all the NCP workers support Sharad Pawar and are upset about Ajit Pawar's move.
"All NCP workers are with Pawar saheb (Sharad Pawar). That is why workers are angry with what Ajit Pawar did. That is why his poster has been removed from the party office," Jitendra Awhad said.