LIVE Updates |'Credit Modi For Ajit's Move; In Touch With Rebels': Sharad Pawar
Over 30 MLAs are backing Ajit Pawar, with 9 of them being inducted as ministers in the cabinet. LIVE updates here.
LIVE Updates: NCP Splits as Ajit Pawar Joins Hands With BJP, Takes Oath as Dy CM
(Photo: Video Screengrab)
Ajit Pawar Joins Hands With BJP LIVE UPDATES: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Mumbai and took oath as the new deputy chief minister of the state, with eight other leaders being inducted as ministers in the Maharashtra cabinet on Sunday, 2 July.
"Some NCP leaders have taken a stand different than the party's. In the meeting scheduled for 6 July, some questions were supposed to be addressed. But before we could address these questions, they took a different stand and are claiming to be the party," said NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, reacting to the split.
It is yet unclear if the state will have two deputy chief ministers, with BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis already holding the post.
Watch the oath taking ceremony here:
While the number of NCP MLAs with Ajit Pawar is yet unclear, over 30 out of the 54 party MLAs from Maharashtra are said to be backing him, sources said.
The development comes after at least 30 MLAs met at Ajit Pawar's residence earlier on Sunday.
The development comes weeks after Lok Sabha MP and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule, along with Praful Patel were made NCP working presidents.
Several BJP leaders present at Raj Bhavan have "welcomed" Ajit Pawar and other NCP MLAs in the government.
The development also comes months after Sharad Pawar withdrew his resignation as the party chief.
The development comes as a jolt to Sharad Pawar and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra.
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Oath Taking Ceremeny Preparations Underway at Raj Bhavan
Preparations for oath taking are underway at Mumbai's Raj Bhavan with Ajit Pawar, along with 9 other MLAs, are likely to be inducted as ministers.
Who All Will Take Oath as Ministers?
The other names of leaders doing the rounds include:
Ajit Pawar
Chhaggan Bhujbal
Dilip Walse Patil
Hassan Mushrif
Dhananjay Munde
Aditi Tatkare
Sanjay Bansode
Baburao Atram
Anil Bhaidas Patil
Ajit Pawar Likely to be Deputy CM
Ajit Pawar is likely to take oath as the deputy CM. It is yet unclear if the cabinet will have two deputy CMs with Fadnavis already holding the post.
Ajit Pawar Takes Oath as Maharashtra Deputy CM
NCP leader Ajit Pawar takes oath as Maharashtra deputy CM.
Fadnavis, Shinde Enroute to Raj Bhavan
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavuis are also reaching Raj Bhavan.
Chhagan Bhujbal Takes Oath as Maharashtra Minister
NCP leader Chhagan Bhujal takes oath as Maharashtra minister.
Dilip Walse Patil Takes Oath as Maharashtra Minister
Dilip Walse Patil, NCP leader and former Maharashtra home minister in the MVA government, took oath as the new cabinet minister in the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government.
Dhananjay Munde, Hasan Mushrif Take Oath as Ministers
Former Maharashtra ministers Dhananjay Munde and Hasan Mushrifs took oath as the new cabinet ministers in the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government.
Aditi Suni Tatkare Takes Oath as Maharashtra Minister
Aditi Tatkare, prominent OBC leader, former cabinet minister, and daughter of senior NCP leader Suni Tatkare takes oath as Maharashtra minister.
Sanjay Bansode Takes Oath as Cabinet Minister
NCP leader and former minister Sanjay Bansode takes oath as Maharashtra cabinet minister. MLA from Latur's Udgir, Bansode is a known Ajit Pawar loyalist.
Anil Bhaidas Patil Inducted in Maharashtra Cabinet
Former NCP chief whip Anil Bhaidas Patil took oath as Maharashtra minister. he is a prominent Leva-Patil leader from Khandesh region.
'I Don't Know...': Sharad Pawar
Speaking to the media ahead of the ceremony on the meeting of the MLAs, Sharad Pawarsaid that he did not know why the meeting was called.
"I do not know exactly why this meeting has been called but being the leader of the Opposition, he (Ajit Pawar) has the right to call a meeting of MLAs. He does that regularly. I don't have much detail about this meeting," he had said.
Praful Patel Present at Raj Bhavan
Recently appointed NCP working president Praful Patel is also present at Raj Bhavan with Ajit Pawar.
'Boost for PM Modi's Development Works': Maharashtra BJP Chief
Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said: "All those joining us are welcome. This will give a boost to PM Narendra Modi and the state government's development work in the state."
'Joined Us for Development': CM Eknath Shinde
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde addressed the media after the ceremony to say: "He has backed us for development. We have worked for the development of the state. I welcome him as the deputy CM and congratulate all leaders who joined us."
"This double engine government is now triple engine," he added.
"There is enough time to discuss about the seat sharing in the cabinet. We have come together to develop Maharashtra," he added.
Ajit Pawar to Address Media Shortly
Ajit Pawar will address media shortly.
Sharad Pawar to Address Media Shortly
Sharad Pawar will address media shortly following a split in the NCP as over 35 MLAs join hands with the BJP.
'Good Administrator Has Joined Us': Deepak Kesarkar
Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar said: "Ajit Pawar has joined us today. He is a good administrator and I had said he should come with us and he has come today. Maharashtra government will do good work."
'Shinde's Future in Jeopardy': Uddhav's Party on Ajit Pawar's Move
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that the move by Ajit Pawar shows that Shinde's future is in jeopardy.
"They needed support of Ajit Pawar and his supporters despite having close to 170 MLAs supporting the government. This shows that they are scared of the SC verdict and Eknath Shinde and his supporters about to be disqualified and he is going to lost the CM's chair," he said.
"Lots of these leaders, like Hassan Mushrif, are facing cases by central agencies," he said.
'Sharad Pawar's Masterstroke': Raj Thackeray
Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray took to Twitter to say that Ajit Pawar joining hands with the BJP was Sharad Pawar's move to let go of Uddhav Thackeray.
"Sharad Pawar wanted to take down the burden of Uddhav Thackeray, the first leg of it was completed today. Pawar's first team left for power, the second team will join too. The Maharashtra BJP anyway did not like the (unrealistic) importance given to Shinde, and found an antidote to it," Thackeray said.
'Joined Govt as NCP, Will Fight Polls as NCP': Ajit Pawar
Here are the key highlights of Ajit Pawar's address:
"The expansion of Maharashtra cabinet has happened today, more will be inducted soon."
"The discussions to join the BJP hands were happening internally for days"
"The decision was taken for the development of the state. The work happening under PM Narendra Modi is before everyone. He is taking the country forward strongly."
"You see what's happening with the Opposition parties. All of them are embroiled in several situations across different states. There's Congress vs TMC somewhere. Congress vs AAP somewhere else, same with other states. There was no specific output from the Opposition meeting."
"In the 2.5 years of the government, development was our goal despite COVID-19. Many people will say a lot of things now but I am concerned with development. The development on Maharashtra, getting most central funds for the state, and the satisfaction of the people of the state were the reasons behind the decision."
"We have joined the government as the Nationalist Congress party and will fight any and every election in the name of the NCP."
"The decision we took 3.5 years ago was also strategic. If we can join hands with the Shiv Sena, we van join hands with the BJP. We joined hands with the BJP in Nagaland too."
"You must have seen that since Independence in 1947, the country has moved forward whenever it has been led by one tall leader like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, or Rajiv Gandhi. Similarly, after 1984, Narendra Modi is one leader like that."
'We Are NCP': Chhagan Bhujbal
Addressing the media with Ajit Pawar, Chhagan Bhujbal said: "We have not quit the NCP, we are the NCP, I want to clarify that."
On allegations of joining hands with the BJP because of cases by central agencies, Bhujbal said: "All those who took oath today, nobody has cases against them."
What Ajit Said When Asked About Sharad Pawar's Support
On being asked if the move has Sharad Pawar's support, Ajit Pawar said: "All MLAs are with us, the party is with us, you don't worry about the rest.A 'majority' is given importance in a democracy. When NCP was formed, Bhujbal and Praful Patel joined us."
"Lok Sabha and Assembly elections will be fought on the clock symbol of the NCP," he reiterated.
'Will Wait and Watch': Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole
"We will wait and watch. The Operation Lotus of the BJP by using fears of politicians and playing with the sentiments of the people, this move was a part of that," said Congress Maharashtra Chief Nana Patole told ABP Majha.
"We were being asked these questions but we never interfere in anybody else's turf. The stand of the Congress has always been clear on this," he said.
'Ajit Pawar Was Given Secondary Treatment in MVA': Eknath Shinde
Commenting on Ajit Pawar joining the cabinet, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said that Ajit Pawar was being given secondary treatment in the MVA.
"This is not a new government. The development work was already happening under PM Modi's leadership. Ajit Pawar, whoo has always supported development, has joined us. I welcome them and congratulate them," he said.
"We have Ajit Pawar who believes in development and is a good administrator. He was deputy CM in the MVA government as well but he see what we did in a year compared to what they could do in 2.5 years ," he added.
'Move Didn't Have My Blessing': Sharad Pawar
Here are the key highlights of Sharad Pawar's address:
"Two days ago, the BJP issues a statement saying that the NCP is riddled with corruption. They mentioned the Sahakari Bank and irrigation scam while saying so. I am happy that they gave place to the same NCP leaders in the cabinet proving that their allegations were baseless and freed all those facing allegations of any such claims."
"Some NCP leaders have taken a stand different than the party's. In the meeting scheduled for 6 July, some questions were supposed to be addressed. But before we could address these questions, they took a different stand and are claiming to be the party."
"How different is the stand of the MLAs taken will be clarified in the next 2-3 days. Some of them have contacted me and said that they were misled into giving signatures to support the government."
"Opposition parties are calling me to tell me that they are still with us. Mamata Banerjee, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, called to show support."
"I will step out tomorrow and take blessings at the YB Chavan memorial in Karad, address a gathering of Dalits and start travelling across the state and the country."
"You might claim to be the NCP and make statements, I won't comment on that or fight over it. We will take the fight to the people. The stand of the people is in our favour is what I am confident about."
"He (Ajit) has resigned as the Leader of Opposition. We will have deliberations in the next few days and appoint somebody on the post. It can be from any of the three parties including Congress or Shiv Sena (UBT)."
"All the nine people who have taken oath will be acted against."
"The meeting was of the party MLAs. I did not talk to anybody before that. Some of them called and told me that they were helpless and didn't have a choice but to sign the letter of support after being called there. They said they will meet me after 2-3 days and those are the only people I spoke to."
"Before going for the meeting, Chhagan Bhujbal had apprised me of what is happening. He said that whatever is happening is not right and he will go there to take stock of the situation and get back to me. He got back to me by taking oath."
"Credit PM Modi for this. There was unrest in some leaders who were facing cased and hence this move was made."
"We will work unitedly with the Congress and the Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena. Even the Opposition unity being pitched at the national level will be strengthened."
"I am not as upset with anybody but I had appointed Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare myself. They went against the party president, that is not right."
Sharad Pawar Calls Meeting of Party Workers on 5 July: Jayant Patil
Sharad Pawar calls meeting of party workers on 5 July at YB Chavan centre in Mumbai, says NCP's Jayant Patil.
"We have sent Jitendra Awhad's name as chief whip, and have sent a letter on behalf of the NCP party to the speaker of the assembly," Patil adds.