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."
Ajit Pawar and Patel, meanwhile, addressed the media and announced the "replacement" of Jayant Patil as the state party chief with Sunil Tatkare. On being asked about who is the national president of the NCP, Ajit Pawar replied: "Have you forgotten Sharad Pawar?"
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."
In a press conference later, Sharad Pawar said: "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."
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.
(Photo: PTI)
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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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.
'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.
'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.
'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.