Ajit Pawar and eight others have joined Eknath Shinde-led state government.
The Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has expelled MP Praful Patel and four other leaders who have backed Ajit Pawar's rebellion. Meanwhile, the faction led by Ajit Pawar announced the appointment of Sunil Tatkare as new state chief of the party and the removal of Jayant Patil from the post.
The Sharad Pawar-led party has also moved a disqualification request against Ajit Pawar and eight others who joined the Eknath Shinde cabinet.
The party founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999 suffered a vertical split yesterday after Ajit Pawar broke ranks and joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government as a Deputy Chief Minister. Eight other NCP MLAs, including staunch Sharad Pawar loyalists like Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil, were also made ministers.
Here are the updates on Ajit Pawar's big switch:
Sharad Pawar Announces Party's New In-Charge For Delhi Office
Sharad Pawar's NCP Expels Delhi Office In-Charge For Backing Rebels
"Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion Soon": Eknath Shinde After Big NCP Mutiny
Ajit Pawar Supporters Protest Against NCP's Jayant Patil
MK Stalin Extends Support To Sharad Pawar Amid Mutiny By Nephew Ajit
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday extended his support to NCP chief Sharad Pawar after his party experienced an internal division with senior leader Ajit Pawar joining the Eknath Shinde government. According to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's office, Mr Stalin spoke to Mr Pawar and extended his support to him.
Requested Speaker To Disqualify Jayant Patil, Jitendra Awhad: Ajit Pawar
"We have given a letter to the Speaker requesting him to disqualify Jayant Patil and Jitendra Awhad," said Ajit Pawar.
"We Want Sharad Pawar's Blessings": Rebel NCP Leader Praful Patel
Praful Patel today said the decision of Sharad Pawar to act against the rebel leaders is not valid. "We have the majority of MLAs with us and in a democracy majority has importance. We don't want any issue within the party and we will try that no such issue happens. However if there's an issue, the ECI will take final decision. If we don't have the MLAs, we wouldn't have gone to the governor. We are party, we don't need to tell the numbers. We request Sharad Pawar to accept the decision of majority in the party, we want his blessings," said the MP, who expulsion from the party has been ordered by Sharad Pawar.
"Praful Patel Can Still Be Working President": Leader Backing Ajit Pawar"Praful Patel and Supriya Sule both have been appointed as working president by the party. Those who appoint don't have the right to remove them. As per rules, Praful Patel can still work as the working president," said Chagan Bhujbal, a rebel NCP leader backing Ajit Pawar.
"Sharad Pawar Is National President": Ajit Pawar Amid NCP vs NCP
Ajit Pawar today said that Sharad Pawar is the national president of the NCP. "Some leaders spoke yesterday and said that we won't fight legally, but will go among the masses. However, later at midnight, they take press conference and speak about legal action," said Ajit Pawar.
NCP vs NCP Live: Ajit Pawar Camp Appoints New Office-Bearers
"Under the leadership of Ajit Pawar, we joined the government. The working president of NCP appointed me as state president of NCP. I have been state president earlier as well and we have worked for the development of party. Several appointments need to be done within the party. On July 5, we have called a meeting of the party office bearers. I am appointing Rupali Chakankar as women president. Suraj Chavhan has been appointed as youth wing president. Amol Mitkari, Anand Paranjpe, etc have been appointed as spokespersons," said Sunil Tatkare.
"Notices Against Us Have No Value, The Party Is With Us": Ajit Pawar"The country is moving ahead under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and we want the state to move ahead. If the central government and state government is of different ideology, it impacts the state, we have seen this happening again and again.
Now the working president has appointed Sunil Tatkare as the state president. There are notices against 9 of us, I don't think the notice has any value. We have the party with us," said Ajit Pawar.
"Most NCP MLAs With Us": Ajit Pawar At Press Conference Day After Big Switch
"I read an article that a Leader of Opposition and a chief whip has been appointed. Let me tell you that the Speaker can appoint the LoP and the LoP is made based on the party that has the majority of MLAs in the opposition. We all are in NCP but to create confusion and fear among our leaders, this is being done. It doesn't make any sense. Maximum MLAs of NCP are with us and we will continue to work for Maharashtra and NCP," said Ajit Pawar.
Ajit Pawar Now Leader Of NCP: Praful Patel"There're messages being forwarded that letters have been sent to ECI, Maharashtra Speaker and also at the central level. I want to say one thing clearly, that no disqualification or suspension can be done by any party. The ECI doesn't have the right as well, the right is of the Speaker and it's a long process and without the speaker's approval, this can't happen. Ajit Pawar has been appointed as the leader of NCP," said Praful Patel.
In NCP vs NCP, Ajit Pawar Appoints Sunil Tatkare As Party's New State Chief
"Today, I officially inform Jayant Patil that he won't be the state president anymore. Now Sunil Tatkare has been appointed as the state president of the party. Jayant Patil should handover everything to Sunil Tatkare immediately," said Praful Patel, a Lok Sabha member, backing Ajit Pawar's move to join the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government.
"Now, whatever changes needed in Maharashtra, as state president, Sunil Tatkare will have the authority to make the new structural changes," he said.
Sharad Pawar Orders Removal Of MPs Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare From NCP
Sharad Pawar has ordered the removal of MPs Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel from his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) for anti-party activities. The action came moments after NCP working president Supriya Sule wrote to the party chief seeking action against the two NCP leaders. The two leaders had backed the rebellion by Ajit Pawar who along with eight others joined the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government yesterday.
"Sharad Pawar Is A Power, Attempts To Shake Him Will Fail": Lalu Yadav"Sharad Pawar is a power, and PM Modi tried to shake him. But, nothing will happen, everyone will fail," said Lalu Prasad Yadav on the rebellion by the Maharashtra strongman's nephew Ajit Pawar.
NCP's Supriya Sule Seeks Action Against MPs Praful Patel, Sunil TatkareNCP working president Supriya Sule has written to party chief and her father Sharad Pawar seeking the disqualification of party MPs Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare for indulging in anti-party activities. "They have acted in direct contravention of the Party Constitution and Rules to further their own personal ambitions. Their actions are also a direct betrayal of the mandate given by the electorate and Party," said the letter.
Here's the letter:
"Treachery Of Highest Order": Congress's Digvijaya Singh On Ajit Pawar's Big Switch
Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh has described developments in NCP as "treachery of the highest order". NCP chief Sharad Pawar had yesterday said the development was not a "googly" but a "robbery". On Mr Pawar's comments, Digvijaya Singh in a tweet today said, "Not only Robbery Pawar Saheb but Treachery of the highest order. Sad."
Breaking: NCP Expels 3 Leaders For Attending Ajit Pawar's Oath CeremonySharad Pawar's NCP has expelled three leaders who attended Ajit Pawar's oath ceremony yesterday. NCP leaders Shivajirao Garje, Vijay Deshmukh, and Narendra Rathod have been expelled for anti-party activities.
Congress' Big Claim On Opposition Leader Post
With Ajit Pawar's big mutiny putting a question mark on the number of legislators left with Sharad Pawar's faction of the Nationalist Congress Party, the Congress has struck while the iron's hot and said that it will demand the Leader of Opposition post in the Maharashtra assembly.
Read here Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will take the final call regarding the portfolios of the nine NCP MLAs who have taken oath yesterday, says Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan
Maharashtra Shake-Up Was A Long Time In The Making: Sequence Of Events
The Maharashtra bombshell dropped by the newly-appointed Deputy Chief Minister on Sunday morning was a long time in the making, with some Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders suggesting partnering with the ruling BJP in the last week of April. The sequence of events ever since have been filled with high drama.
Read moreEknath Shinde to visit Bal Thackeray memorial
Sources say Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with MLAs and MPs will visit the memorial of Bal Thackeray at Shivaji Park in the evening.
After Meeting NCP Rebels, Ajit Pawar At Devendra Fadnavis' House
Sources say a meeting was held at Ajit Pawar's home this morning to discuss the power-sharing formula. "A discussion was held regarding allocation of ministries to Ajit Pawar and the eight NCP MLAs who have switched to the Shinde-led government," sources said. Ajit Pawar, Chagan Bhujbal and Praful Patel are now meeting Devendra Fadnavis at his residence.
What Prompted Sharad Pawar's "Free Of Corruption Charges" Dig At PM
Four of the nine Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs who switched sides to join the BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra, and were sworn in as cabinet ministers, are under the scanner of central probe agency Enforcement Directorate or the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) in various cases.
Read moreSharad Pawar's Show Of Strength Amid Nephew Ajit's Rebellion
Sharad Pawar today visited the memorial of his mentor and Maharashtra's first chief minister Yashwantrao Chavan in Satara's Karad - which is being seen as a show of strength a day after his nephew's big switch. "My fight against communal forces begins today. Such rebellions happen. I will rebuild the party," Mr Pawar said.
What Prompted Sharad Pawar's "Free Of Corruption Charges" Dig At PM
Four of the nine Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs who switched sides to join the BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra, and were sworn in as cabinet ministers, are under the scanner of central probe agency Enforcement Directorate or the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) in various cases.
Ajit Pawar, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Hasan Mushrif are under investigation for cases linked to money laundering.
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Meeting Underway At Ajit Pawar's Home
Sources say a meeting is underway at Ajit Pawar's home to discuss the power-sharing formula. "A discussion is being held regarding allocation of ministries to Ajit Pawar and the eight NCP MLAs who have switched the Shinde-led government," sources said.
Eknath Shinde will be replaced as Maharashtra Chief Minister: Sanjay Raut
Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday reiterated his claim that Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, who was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra a day ago, would soon replace Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Sanjay Raut also said that 16 MLAs who were part of the split in Shiv Sena almost a year ago are going to be "disqualified".
"Today I am saying this in front of the camera, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra is going to change. Eknath Shinde is being removed. Eknath Shinde and the 16 MLAs are going to be disqualified," Mr Raut said while talking to ANI.
Discussion will be held today regarding ministry allocation to Ajit Pawar and eight NCP ministers who have joined the Eknath Shinde-led government.
NCP leaders had hint of BJP's 'intention' to break party: Rohit Pawar
NCP MLA Rohit Pawar, the grandnephew of party chief Sharad Pawar, on Monday claimed senior leaders had an inkling of BJP's "intention" to break the party, but were clueless about Ajit Pawar's swift move to join hands with the ruling alliance.
Speaking to reporters in Maharashtra's Pune city, Rohit Pawar said he is firmly with NCP chief Sharad Pawar.
On Sunday, Ajit Pawar led a vertical split in the NCP to become the deputy chief minister, shocking his uncle Sharad Pawar, who founded the party 24 years ago.
"First Attack Corrupt, Then...": Kapil Sibal's Dig At BJP After Ajit Pawar's Mutiny
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal took a swipe at the BJP on Monday over NCP leader Ajit Pawar and eight others inducted into the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government, saying "first attack the corrupt and then embrace" them.
Ajit Pawar pulled off a stunning revolt in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Sunday, triggering a vertical split, and joined hands with the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in Maharashtra to become the deputy chief minister.
Read more What NCP said in its petition to Assembly Speaker
"The very act of these MLAs of going to the Governor of Maharashtra, and taking oath as Deputy Chief Minister and as Ministers in the government led by Eknath Shinde, which is strongly opposed by the NCP, amounts to voluntarily giving up membership of the NCP political party," the petition said.
"In these circumstances, it is submitted that they have absolutely no defence to the brazen act of defection and ought to be immediately disqualified"
Ajit Pawar To Replace Eknath Shinde: Team Uddhav After Maharashtra Mutiny
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) today claimed NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who has been sworn in as the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, would replace Chief Minister Eknath Shinde soon.
Ajit Pawar on Sunday led a vertical split in the NCP to become the deputy chief minister, shocking his uncle Sharad Pawar, who founded the party 24 years ago. Eight NCP leaders were also sworn in as ministers in the Shinde-BJP government.
Read here Sharad Pawar to visit Karad
A day after a vertical split in his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Sharad Pawar on Monday left from Pune for Karad to visit the memorial of Maharashtra's first chief minister Yashwantrao Chavan.
The NCP chief was accompanied by his wife Pratibha Pawar, Rajya Sabha member Vandana Chavan, NCP spokesperson Ankush Kakde, party's Pune city unit president Prashant Jagtap and many other party workers.
After Ajit Pawar's Mutiny, Aaditya Thackeray's "Third Wheel" Dig
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday took a dig at the Eknath Shinde-BJP dispensation in Maharashtra, saying the "failed double engine government" now has a "third wheel" after NCP leader Ajit Pawar joined the cabinet.
He said the fight in politics in the current times was between selfish and principled.
NCP writes to poll body
The party has also written to the Election Commission of India (EC) conveying that Sharad Pawar, who founded the NCP in 1999, continues to head the party and that there is no change in the leadership. They also urged the poll body to hear them before acting upon on any request from Ajit Pawar camp.
"No Problem In Family": Sharad Pawar To NDTV After Nephew's Mutiny
A day after his nephew Ajit Pawar led a mutiny within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and joined the Eknath Shinde-led government with eight other party leaders, NCP chief and veteran politician Sharad Pawar said "there is no problem in the family".
"There's no problem in the family. We don't discuss politics in the family. Everyone takes their own decision," he told NDTV in an exclusive interview.
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