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.
Addressing the media, Ajit Pawar said: "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 with the name and symbol of the NCP."
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.
Some big names joining hands with the BJP and were inducted as ministers include Sharad Pawar loyalists like Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil, and Hassan Mushrif.
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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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.
'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."
'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.
'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.