Ajit Pawar Outplays Uncle Sharad In NCP Race, Stakes Claim To Party Symbol

The rebel faction of the Nationalist Congress Party removed Sharad Pawar from the top post of the party he founded and led for over two decades, just two days before their mutiny. Ajit Pawar was elected the party chief by around 40 MLAs, MLCs and MPs -- a step calculated to negate any legal hurdle -- the Election Commission has been informed. Sources in the Election Commission said according to the rebels' letter, they had named Ajit Pawar as party president on June 30 -- days before his shock move of crossing over to the ruling alliance and taking oath as Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister. Around 40 MLAs, MPs and MLCs had signed affidavits that day supporting the rebels, sources said.