LIVE Updates | 'Forgot Sharad Pawar?': Ajit on Being Asked About NCP Chief
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LIVE Updates | 'Will Put Them In Their Place': Sharad Pawar Attacks, Rebels, BJP
(Photo: PTI)
Sharad Pawar vs Ajit Pawar LIVE Updates: A day after Ajit Pawar split the Nationalist Congress Party with over 30 MLAs and took oath as the new Maharashtra deputy chief minister, party supremo Sharad Pawar expelled NCP MPs Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare from the party.
In a tweet, Sharad Pawar said: "I, as the National President, Nationalist Congress Party hereby order removal of the names of Shri Sunil Tatkare and Shri Praful Patel from the Register of Members of NCP Party for anti-party activities."
Sharad Pawar earlier paid respects at the YB Chavan memorial in Karad in an attempt to "take the fight to the people."
Addressing party workers at the venue, Pawar said that he will not rest until those creating unrest in the state and the party "are put in their place."
Ajit Pawar, meanwhile, convened a meeting of the nine ministers in the state at his Mumbai residence. While Ajit Pawar openly staked claim to the party saying that "most MLAs" are with him, Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil addressed the media on Sunday and said that the party has moved a disqualification petition against the nine ministers who took oath on Sunday.
NCP Chief Sharad Pawar being welcomed by supporters as he reached Khed-Shivapur toll plaza on Pune-Satara Highway while on his way to Karad, on Monday, July 3, 2023.
Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar being greeted by supporters at his residence, in Mumbai, Monday, July 3, 2023.
NCP Chief Sharad Pawar leaves for Karad to visit the memorial of Maharashtras first chief minister Yashwantrao Chavan, in Pune, Monday, July 3, 2023.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supporters deface a banner showing party leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare during a protest against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and other party leaders who joined the state cabinet, outside NCP office at Ballard Estate, in Mumbai, Sunday, July 2, 2023.
NCP Chief Sharad Pawar addresses supporters after paying tribute to former Maharashtra chief minister Yashwantrao Chavan, in Karad, Monday, July 3, 2023.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar speaks during a press conference, in Pune, Sunday, July 2, 2023
Newly sworn-in Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Chhagan Bhujbal and Praful Patel during a press conference, in Mumbai, Sunday, July 2, 2023.
Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais with the state Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, newly-sworn in Dy CM Ajit Pawar and NCP leader Praful Patel, at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, Sunday, July 2, 2023.
Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar during a ceremony at Raj Bhavan, in Mumbai, Sunday, July 2, 2023.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde congratulates the newly sworn-in Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, during a ceremony at Raj Bhavan, in Mumbai, Sunday, July 2, 2023. Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are also seen.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar takes oath as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, during a ceremony at Raj Bhavan, in Mumbai, Sunday, July 2, 2023.
Sharad Pawar has called for a meeting of NCP leaders on Thursday, 5 July.
Jitendra Awhad on Sunday was appointed as the new Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly to replace Ajit Pawar, leading to a disgruntlement in the Congress.
Sharad Pawar later said that the Congress' demand for the position of LoP is valid considering they now have "maximum numbers in Opposition."
The Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP moved a disqualification plea against Ajit Pawar and eight other ministers which Speaker Rahul Narvekar said he will "study and decide upon."
Both Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress have claimed that the deal of Ajit Pawar for the BJP is to become the chief minister, indicating a threat to Eknath Shinde's position.
NCP MP and Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule said that her "love" for her brother will always be intact.
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Sharad Pawar Faction Moves Disqualification Plea Against Rebels
The Sharad Pawar-led NCP has sent a diqualification plea against Ajit Pawar and eight other who took oath as Maharashtra ministers on Sunday and sent it to Speaker Rahul Narwekar, state chief Jayant Patil said.
Respect Ajit, But Party Important: Rohit Pawar
Addressing the media on Monday, Rohit Pawar said: "What is more important is why we are here. Voters are upset about the recent developments. My respect for Ajit Kaka will be the same even after what has happened. In my personal life, he has helped me a lot but in politics, the thought process of a party is very important."
'Eknath Shinde About to Lose His Chair': Sanjay Raut
Addressing the media on Monday, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said that Ajit Pawar entering the alliance is a threat to CM Eknath Shinde's chair.
"The BJP is breaking the Shiv Sena, NCP and the Congress but this will not benefit them at all. In Maharashtra, we will fight unitedly. It is shocking that PM Modi had said that the leaders of NCP are involved in corruption and now those leaders have taken oath in Raj Bhawan," he told news agency ANI.
"Today I am saying this in front of the camera, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra is going to change. Eknath Shinde will be removed. Eknath Shinde and the 16 MLAs are going to be disqualified," he said.
Sharad Pawar Pays Homage to YB Chavan in Karad
NCP supremo Sharad Pawar paid respects to YB Chavan in Karad. He will later address party workers there.
Congress leader Pritviraj Chavan is also present with him.
Ajit Pawar Convenes Meeting of Ministers, MLAs
Ajit Pawar has convened a meeting of all the ministers who took oath with him at his Mumbai. Many NCP MLAs who are supporting him are also likely to attend the meeting.
'Will Study Petition and Decide': Speaker
On receiving the disqualification petition of Ajit Pawar and others, Speaker Rahul Narvekar said that he will "study the petition and will take a decision accordingly."
NCP MLAs, Minsiters Meet Ajit Pawar at His Residence
Newly inducted NCP ministers and MLAs supporting him met Ajit Pawar at his residence in Mumbai.
'Will Put Them In Their Place': Sharad Pawar in Karad
Addressing party workers in Karad, Sharad Pawar launched scathing on the BJP to say that the party is attempting to not jut destabilise other parties but also the state and the country.
“The Madhya Pradesh government was overthrown. A government was brought there to encourage caste tendencies. Such efforts are also being made in Delhi, Punjab, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Himachal and southern states. In the state of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Jyotirao Phule, Babasaheb Ambedkar and Yashwantrao Chavan attempts have been made to destabilise a democratically functioning," he said.
"Unfortunately, our colleagues fell victim to this kind of politics and ideology. I will not rest until I strengthen Maharashtra and I will not rest until I put those creating unrest in their place," Pawar said.
Ajit Pawar Meets Devendra Fadnavis
NCP leaders Ajit Pawar and Chhagan Bhujbal meet Devendra fadnavis at his residence.
'Deal is to Make Ajit the Chief Minister': Prithviraj Chavan
Maharashtra Congress leader and former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Monday said that Ajit Pawar's deal with the BJP is to make him the chief minister.
"I had said this openly once but got into trouble back then. But that has always been the deal," Chavan said.
Anil Patil Appointed Chief Whip of Ajit Faction
Ajit Bhaidas Patil, one of the eight ministers who took oath yesterday, appointed chief whip of Ajit Pawar faction.
'Wont Be Surprised if Supriya Sule Becomes Union Minister': Raj Thackeray
Addressing the media on the current political situation in Maharashtra, MNS chief Raj Thackeray said that no party in Maharashtra had any regards for the people mandate.
He reiterated his stand tweeted on Sunday that Sharad Pawar was well aware of the developments and engineered it in order to let go of Uddhav Thackeray.
"I won't be surprised if Supriya Sule gets a central berth," he said.
'Shar ad Pawar Does Not Give Ultimatums': Jitendra Awhad
Addressing the media, NCP leader Jitendra Awhad said that rebel MLAs are worried about Sharad Pawar's next move.
"Sharad Pawar does not give ultimatum. But the turnout in Karad shows what Maharashtra wants," NCP leader Jitendra Awhad said.
"The MLAs are now scared what will happen if Sharad Pawar sets foot in their constituency. They cannot have Sharad Pawar on the opposite side," he added.
'Use Praful Patel's Photos On Posters...': Sharad Pawar's Factions
Addressing the media, Jitendra Awhad said that rebel leaders should use photos of Sharad Pawar only with is permission.
"They have already said that PM Modi is their leader, so they should use his photo," he said.
'Will Let Go of LoP Post if Need Be': Sharad Pawar Faction
NCP leader Jitendra Awhad reacted to the Congress party's objection to him being appointed as the Leader of Opposition without consulting the three allies.
"As of now we have the numbers. If the situation changes tomorrow, we will let go off the post. The goal is to fight together as MVA and the NCP is not so petty for a post," he said.
Awhad was reacting to several state Congress leaders, including Vijay Wadettiwar saying that the party should be now get the post of LoP in the Assembly.
'Fadnavis Joined Hands With Corrupt Leaders of NCP': Eknath Khadse
NCP leader Eknath Khadse attacked the BJP and Devendra Fadnavis for joining hands with "corrupt" leaders of NCP.
"Devendra Fadnavis was running a campaign on corruption by many of these leaders. Now Fadnavis has joined hands with them which means that they are now clear of all charges. They are now in the washing machine of the BJP and they will come lout clean," he said.
Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narvekar Meets Fadnavis
Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narveker, who is to decide on the disqualification petition against Ajit Pawar and 8 other NCP leaders who took oath as ministers on Sunday, meets Devendra Fadnavis at his residence.
Ajit Pawar to Address the Media at 4 PM
NCP leader and now deputy CM Ajit Pawar will address the media at 4 pm likely to announce the new portfolios.
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin Extends Support To Pawar
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin extended his support to NCP President Sharad Pawar over a telephonic conversation on Monday, 3 July, news agency ANI reported.
Praful Patel's Photo Removed from NCP's Delhi Office
NCP workers removed the photo of the party's working president Praful Patel from its office in Delhi.
"We removed Praful Patel's photo frame and all other leaders who left NCP since they are not part of the NCP family anymore," NCP student wing national president Sonia Doohan was quoted as saying by ANI.
'Battle of Ideologies': Rohit Pawar Addresses Media
Addressing the media, Rohit Pawar said that the battle is for ideologies.
"This is happening to us today, tomorrow they might target the Congress. They got scared after Karnataka results and understood that their numbers might go down," he said attacking the BJP.
"Those who were accusing the Shinde faction of taking 50 khoke (crores) bribe have now gone and joined them," he added.
Alleging that the leaders were misled, he said: "The MLAs were told that the meeting is being called to overhaul the posts in the party. They were misled. Supriya tai was also present at the meeting precisely for the same reason. But then we all saw on TV what discussions happened and what they did."
Sharad Pawar Addressed Media
After a show of strength in Karad, Sharad pawar addressed the media and reiterated that even if some senior leaders have left, Ajit Pawar is not the media.
"Ajit Pawar is not the party. My daughter was also present at the meeting but that does not mean she did something wrong. There are differences in a party but that does not mean I will reprimand anybody," said Sharad Pawar, indicating that the party will accept people who are willing to return.
Speaking on the "ultimatum" given by party chief Jayant Patil, Pawar said that he will let Patil take any decision he wants since he is the state chief.
Training guns at PM Modi, he said: "PM modi just four days ago said that there are uncountable scams done by NCP and that the leaders are embroiled in corruption."
He also slammed Speaker Rahul Narwekar for participating in a meeting with Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, despite the latter having disqualification proceedings pending against him.
'Congress' Demand for LoP is Valid': Sharad Pawar
NCP supremo Sharad Pawar while addressing the media called the Maharashtra Congress' demand for the post of the Leader of Opposition a valid one.
"The party that has the maximum numbers in the Opposition gets the post. As per my knowledge, the Congress has maximum numbers so far. So, their demand is valid," he said.
Actor-MLA Amol Kolhe, Who Attended Ajit's Swearing-In, Returns to Sharad Pawar Faction
MLA Amol Kolhe took to Twitter to show support for Sharad Pawar, a day after he attended the oath-taking ceremony of Ajit Pawar.
"When there is a war between the mind and the heart, listen to your heart. The mind sometimes forgets morality but the heart never does," he said.
NCP leader Jitendra Awhad took to Twitter to react to Kolhe's return and said: "The first pawn is back."
NCP Serves Disciplinary Notice to 9 Ministers
The NCP has served a notice to nine ministers who took oath on Sunday to initiate disciplinary proceedings against them.
Eknath Shinde to Decide on Portfolios: State BJP Chief
Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that teh portfolios for the nine newly-inducted NCP ministers will be decided by CM Eknath Shinde.
'Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare Expelled from NCP': Sharad Pawar
Sharad Pawar expelled NCP MPs Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare from the party.
In a tweet, Sharad Pawar said: "I, as the National President, Nationalist Congress Party hereby order removal of the names of Shri Sunil Tatkare and Shri Praful Patel from the Register of Members of NCP Party for anti-party activities."
Ajit Pawar Announces New Appointments
Addressing the media, NCP MP Praful Patel announced that the faction has decided to 'replace' Jayant Patil and appoint Sunil Tatkare as the state party chief.
While Tatkare is backing Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil is still backing Sharad Pawar.
Commenting on the disqualification proceedings of the nine ministers initiated by the Sharad Pawar faction, he said: "The party cannot move disqualification plea against anybody. The Election Commission, too, cannot do anything about it. Those powers lie only with the Speaker."
He also announced that Anil Bhaidas Patil, who was the chief whip of the united NCP, will continue on the post. Patil is one of the nine ministers who took oath on Sunday.
'No Right to Initiate Disqualification Proceedings': Ajit Pawar
Addressing the media, Ajit Pawar said that the party cannot initiate disqualification proceedings or appoint a Leader of Opposition.
"The Assembly Speaker decides on the Leader of Opposition (LoP) when the House is in session. I heard that somebody was appointed on that post. I want to clarify that most MLAs are with us. We will keep working for the strengthening of the party and the state," he said.
"They have no right to initiate disqualification proceedings. The party and the symbol is with us," he added.
'Sharad Pawar Still National Party President': Ajit Pawar
On being asked about who is the national president of the NCP, Ajit Pawar replied: "Have you forgotten Sharad Pawar?"
"Some people are claiming that they will not fight this lawfully but take the fight to the people. However, many different things are being said by conducting late-night media addresses. Whatever we have decided is in favour of the NCP," he added.
'Election Commission Will Decide on Party Name and Symbol': Ajit Pawar
Reiterating his claim on the NCP name and symbol, Ajit Pawar said: "The Election Commission has the right to decide on the symbol and name. We are moving ahead with the belief that we are the NCP. The MLAs are with us. The funds that they need, the help to clear stuck schemes and funds, and the overall development of the respective constituencies is our goal."
What Ajit Pawar Said on Supriya Sule
On being asked if he would 'expel' Supriya Sule from the party, Ajit Pawar said: "This is a party that takes everybody together. We are not here to expel anybody."
'Sharad Pawar's Decision of Expulsion Not Applicable': Praful Patel
NCP MP Praful Patel replied a plain "no" when asked if the decision to expel him and Sunil Tatkare from the NCP was applicable.
"The reason is that we believe that vast majority of the NCP has backed yesterday's decision. Hence, any decision taken by a majority in a democracy cannot be deemed invalid," he said.
"We don't want any conflict and we will try our best for the same. But if any conflict arises, the final decision cannot be made by us but by the Election Commission in terms of the rights and powers of the party," he added.
'Support of 40 MLAs': NCP Spokesperson
Amol Mitkari, NCP spokesperson (Ajit Pawar faction) told news agency ANI that, "This alliance happened with the support of 40 NCP MLAs."
Sharad Pawar is senior leader of NCP but we can't ignore the contributions of Ajit Pawar either, he worked for 40 years for NCP," Mitkari added.
'Supporting Development': Eknath Shinde on Ajit Pawar
On being questioned about Ajit Pawar's moves, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said, "Ajit Pawar has said that he is supporting the agenda of development."
He further added that the state cabinet expansion will happen soon.
NCP Expels Solapur District President
NCP has expelled Solapur District Executive Umesh Patil from his post for going against the party discipline and policy.
The NCP states that Patil was present during the swearing-in ceremony of party MLAs joining the existing Maharashtra government, which is against the party policy.