NCP crisis: In the last couple of years, words such as 'revolts', 'betrayal' and 'switching sides' become more evident belittling ideology-based politics in Indian politics. The fresh revolt led by NCP leader Ajit Pawar against his uncle and party president Sharad Pawar once again throws light on the grey area of the Indian democracy. The NCP crisis reminds us some of the infamous incidents in which politicians took a 180-degree turn for the sake of power.
Here we listed some incidents of revolts within the party which changed the political landscape:
Ajit Pawar Saga
It seems that Ajit Pawar was not happy in MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) alliance since the first day. However, he was deputy chief minister in the Thackeray government during the MVA regime. First time, he revolted in November 2019 lending support to BJP and subsequently forming a government in Maharashtra.
However, the government lasted for just 3 days as Ajit took a U-turn and returned to Sharad Pawar's fold. In the revolt 2.0, it is yet to be seen how many MLAs supported Ajit. The NCP has 53 MLAs in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly and he needs the support of at least 36 legislators to not attract the provisions of anti-defection law.
Eknath Shinde
Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde led a resort politics that ended with the toppling of the MVA government in Maharashtra and a split of Shiv Sena. The resort politics began from Surat in June 2022, reached Guwahati and finally returned to Mumbai. The entire episode put the political pyramid upside down in Maharashtra. Udhhav Thackeray lost not only the CM post but the party name and symbol as well. Eknath was rewarded by BJP for the leading conspiracy against his own government as Eknath was a minister in the Thackeray government. BJP despite having more seats in the assembly offered the CM post to Eknath. He took oath as the CM on June 30, 2022.
Jyotiraditya Scindia
In a surprise move, senior Congress leader Jyotriaditya Scindia, who is considered a family friend of Rahul Gandhi, snapped his relationship with the grand old party. He along with 22 MLAs joined BJP in March 2020 which caused the collapse of the then Kamal Nath government. Subsequently, BJP formed a government in Madhya Pradesh and Scindia became a Union Minister in Modi's Cabinet.
Mukul Sangma
Former Meghalaya chief minister and senior Congress leader Mukul Sangma along with 11 MLAs joined the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) in November 2021, making the TMC the main Opposition party in the state. The development changed the political equation in the hilly state.
Suvendu Adhikari
Suvendu Adhikari, TMC leader and once considered number 2 leader in the party, left Mamata Banerjee's party on December 17, 2020 ahead of crucial Assembly elections. Later, he joined BJP and strengthened the saffron party in West Bengal. Under his leadership, the BJP became the number 2 party in the state. He contested the election against his mentor CM Banerjee in 2021 and surprisingly defeated her in the Nandigram assembly seat.
Akhilesh Yadav
Then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav revolted against his father and party founder Mulayam Singh in December 2016. The feud between father and son lasted for a few days in Lucknow. Angry father expelled CM Akhilesh from the party. However, the matter went to Election Commission in which the son emerged victorious. Akhilesh's uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav was the bone of contention between the father and the son.
Himanta Biswa Sarma
One of the brightest Congress leaders in northeast Himanta Biswa Sarma deserted Congress in July 2014 over disagreements with the then Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. After leaving Congress, he proved to be a charismatic leader for BJP. With his support, BJP succeeded in forming a government for the first time in Assam. When BJP returned to power for the second time in 2021, the party rewarded him with the CM post. Now, Sarma is the CM of Assam.
