Maharashtra NCP crisis: Sharad Pawar sacks key aides, separate meeting by both factions tomorrow

Speaking on the Maharashtra political situation, Chhattisgarh Deputy CM TS Singhdeo said, "The engines must be weak, that's why they need three engines now...We also have a government in Chhattisgarh but we are not making any engines here... In Chhattisgarh, we (CM & Dy CM) are working together for the state..."

Sharad Pawar appoints Sonia Doohan as the in-charge of Nationalist Congress Party's New Delhi Central office.

"After the way Ajit Pawar was humiliated by Sharad Pawar in June, he had no alternative...Sharad Pawar made Supriya Sule and Praful Patel working presidents...so Ajit Pawar broke the party...," said Mahesh Jethmalani, Senior Advocate & Rajya Sabha MP.

I, as the National President, Nationalist Congress Party hereby order the formal deletion of the name of Mr.S.R. Kohli from Nationalist Congress Party for anti-party activities, tweets Sharad Pawar.

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, says Amol Mitkari, NCP (Ajit Pawar faction).

"I have full faith in the constitution of NCP. I have allegiance to the ideals and values of Sharad Pawar. State President of NCP is Jayant Patil and National President is Sharad Pawar Pawar. I extend my wholehearted, unconditional and unwavering support to Sharad Pawar's leadership. I condemn Ajit Pawar and his fellow MLAs for betraying the constitution of the party and Sharad Pawar. I clarify once again that we have full loyalty and faith in Sharad Pawar. Under his leadership, I will work to fulfill every objective stated in the constitution of NCP," reads the affidavit of NCP. 

"Just bargaining was going on over what he (Ajit) should be getting. As per our information, he has been given a promise of chief minister's post by pushing Eknath Shinde aside with the help of the Assembly speaker's decision (on disqualification of 16 Shiv Sena MLAs)," the former CM claimed.

"They (BJP) kept calling them corrupts and now they have taken them into their government. This shows that BJP is the most corrupt party. BJP has misused the powers of ED, CBI to finish the opposition in the country," said Mehbooba on NCP row.

"Some of our people fell prey to BJP''s tactics to break other parties," said Sharad Pawar amid show of strength

Sharad Pawar addressed NCP workers and said, "we need to fight forces creating communal divide."

Addressing the public in Karad, Sharad Pawar said: "Y B Chavan always believed that common citizens should be included into the democratic process of this country. He created a new team, took a young team with him. He ensured that this team leads to the development of the country. Though he is not with us, his thoughts are with us."

"Today, people are using caste and religion to create animosity among the people of Indians. Maharashtra promoted brotherhood but in recent days Kolhapur, Amalner, Sangamner witnessed communal violence which is not good for the state. But merely saying this won't be enough. We need to stand against such tendencies," he added.

Congress nominates Ashok Pattan as the chief whip in the Legislative Assembly and Saleem Ahmad as the party's chief whip in the Legislative Council.

"As the elections near many MVA leaders will join us. Earlier too, Pawar sahib said that his party is strong but today 40 people have left him. In today's times, it is not easy to build the party again. There is BJP government both in the state and at the Centre...Uddhav Thackeray is in tension, he has got nothing left," said Narayan Rane, Maharashtra BJP leader & Union minister.

Our government will remain strong and Eknath Shinde will be the chief minister till 2024, said Narayan Rane, Maharashtra BJP leader.

Newly inducted ministers and other leaders meet Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar at his residence in Mumbai.

"The CM of Maharashtra is about to get changed. The 16 MLAs with Eknath Shinde will be disqualified soon as per the Supreme Court's order. This is the reason why Ajit Pawar and others have been inducted," said Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut a day after NCP's Ajit Pawar and eight others joined Maharashtra government.

Pune: NCP chief Sharad Pawar reached Khed-Shivapur toll plaza on Pune-Satara Highway. He started his visit a day after a total of 9 NCP leaders took oath as Maharashtra ministers after Ajit Pawar and other party leaders joined the NDA government in Maharashtra yesterday.

"It's their personal decision and has nothing to do with the party. We just want to say that the whole party is standing with Pawar Sahab. Without Pawar Sahab, there is no NCP. The whole country and the state of Maharashtra, the people of Maharashtra are strongly standing with Pawar Sahab...," said National President, NCP youth wing Dheeraj Sharma on the Maharashtra issue

NCP leader Jitendra Awhad reached Maharashtra speaker's office to hand over his appointment letter at late night on Sunday. 

NCP national spokesperson Clyde Crasto claimed that the party working president Supriya Sule and state unit chief Jayant Patil are contacting all the 53 MLAs and the picture will become clearer by Monday. The NCP has 53 MLAs in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly and Ajit Pawar needs the support of at least 36 legislators to not attract the provisions of anti-defection law.

There is no pressure from anyone, said rebel NCP leader Praful Patel on ED coercion after his faction of party joined NDA government in Maharashtra.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Sunday night said Ajit Pawar, who has joined the Eknath Shinde-led government as Deputy Chief Minister with some leaders, doesn't have the support of 36 MLAs as being claimed. NCP national spokesperson Clyde Crasto also claimed that the party working president Supriya Sule and state unit chief Jayant Patil are contacting all the 53 MLAs and the picture will become clearer by Monday.

"Thoughts and hate are different things, NCP never had hate inside the party or any misunderstanding, Ajit Pawar had different thoughts and we have different ones. We respect our all MLAs. I always speak with party workers & leaders, I spoke with them yesterday also and tomorrow also I will speak with them (Party leaders & members), " said NCP MP Supriya Sule.

"Whatever happened is painful. Sharad Pawar treated everyone like a family and he is our senior leader, I don't think speaking after his statement will be correct. His response was We are living in a democratic country where everyone has the right to speak for themselves and keep their points. Ajit Pawar's move is his own decision and point of view. My relationship with Ajit Pawar will not change, he will always remain my elder brother. We will rebuild the party," said NCP MP Supriya Sule on Ajit Pawar's revolt.

Supriya Sule said, "For me Ajit Pawar will always be my elder brother. I will not argue with him." 

NCP working president Supriya Sule said that people of Maharashtra will decide who the real NCP is. She said whatever happened is very unfortunate. Regarding Ajit Pawar, she said that I will always have respect for him. He is my elder brother and will be.

" Our party has not supported the decision taken by Ajit Pawar, it is his personal decision...he needs to remember one thing, NCP belongs to Sharad Pawar...this party was built and brought to this level by him...all those who betrayed us today got their face because of Sharad Pawar...if they think that they can wipe out him and ruin NCP, they're making a mistake," said Clyde Crasto, National Spokesperson, NCP.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to question the Modi government.  "Till yesterday those whom they used to call corrupt, used to raid CBI/ED on them, today have included them in your government? Aren't you ashamed Prime Minister? So when the Prime Minister says - I will not spare a single corrupt person, he means - I will include everyone in my party."

NCP working president Supriya Sule meets party workers after Ajit Pawar and 9 MLAs joined Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra cabinet.

NCP workers at the party office in Mumbai sprayed black paint on photos of those MLAs who joined the Eknath Shinde-led government along with NCP leader Ajit Pawar earlier today. 

"BJP does not believe in the power of people, it believes in breaking political parties and forming governments. They will face the consequences," said JDU chief Lalan Singh on Maharashtra political development.

NCP names Jitendra Awhad as new opposition leader after Ajit Pawar's shocking move.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress has called a Legislature Party meeting on Tuesday, July 4 at 11 am in the Vidhan Bhavan. The party discuss who should be made the Leader of Opposition. The changing political equations will also be discussed in detail. (Report- Sachin)

The Nationalist Congress Party appointed Jitendra Awhad as Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly after incumbent LoP Ajit Pawar joined the Eknath Shinde government as deputy chief minister on Sunday.

The MLA from Mumbra-Kalwa in neighbouring Thane district said NCP state unit president Jayant Patil had appointed him chief whip of the party and LoP in the Assembly.

"All the MLAs will have to abide my whip," he asserted in an apparent reference to defection and disqualification angles that are bound to come up in connection with Sunday's developments brought about by a vertical split in the NCP.

"Attempts of Opposition parties to seek votes against PM Modi now stand jeopardized," Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde takes a jibe on opposition unity after NCP's Ajit Pawar, along with several party MLAs, joined the state government earlier today.

"Clearly the BJP's Washing Machine has resumed its operations. A number of new entrants into the BJP-led alliance in Maharashtra today had been facing serious corruption charges with ED, CBI and Income Tax authorities after them. Now they have all got a clean chit," said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Twitter, after Ajit Pawar and other NCP leaders joined the Shinde-led government in Maharashtra

"The Congress will intensify its efforts to free Maharashtra from the clutches of the BJP," he added.

These situations happen when a hardworking leader or worker is suppressed. Ajit Pawar is a working leader, who believes in development, that's why everyone has supported him: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, reported ANI.

I am not bothered that people have left, but I am worried for their future: Sharad Pawar

We will work to strengthen the party again. MLAs and all senior leaders will sit together to decide about any action against the rebel leaders. Being the president, I had appointed Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare but they did not follow their responsibilities. Therefore, I have to take some action against them: NCP chief Sharad Pawar

I am receiving several calls from a lot of people, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, WB CM Mamata Banerjee and others have called me. I am not worried about whatever happened today. Tomorrow, I will take the blessings of YB Chavan (former Maharashtra CM) and will hold a public meeting: NCP chief Sharad Pawar

Two days ago the PM had said about NCP... He had said two things in his statement that NCP is a finished party. He mentioned irrigation complaint and allegations of corruption. I am happy that some of my colleagues have taken oath. From this (joining the NDA government) it is clear that all the charges have been cleared. I am thankful to him: NCP chief Sharad Pawar

Jayant Patil and Jitendra Awhad to reach NCP ballard estate office in a while Supriya Sule will also reach NCP office.

Reported by Atul Singh

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday hit out at the BJP after NCP leaders were inducted in the Maharashtra council of ministers, saying the ruling party was on an "MLA purchasing spree". Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, along with eight others from the party, joined the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government on Sunday. While Pawar was sworn in as the deputy chief minister by Governor Ramesh Bais at a ceremony held in the Raj Bhawan in Mumbai, the eight other NCP leaders took oath as ministers.

"Several people will criticise now a bit. We don't give value to that and we will keep working for the progress of Maharashtra and that is why we have taken this decision. Most of our MLAs are satisfied with this. We have supported this govt with NCP Party. We will contest all elections in the name of NCP only," said Ajit Pawar at the press conference held after the swearing-in ceremony. 

"We have given the cabinet a new generational touch as well. Along with this we have already given Schedule Caste and Other backward Classes representation as well" Ajit Pawar said. 

Uddhav Thackeray said that he is with Pawar. Pawar said that what happened with Shiv Sena happened with NCP but he will stand firm.

Reported by Sachin Chaudhary

Some MLAs could not be contacted as they are out of country but I spoke to all of them and they agreed with our decision, said newly sworned-in Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar after extending support to the NDA government in Maharashtra. 

"We have come here as NCP. We have also criticised Modi govt on many occasions but it is true that the country is safe in his hands," he further said. 

"Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has backing of 40 NCP MLAs & 6 NCP MLCs", says sources. 

Ajit Pawar decided to support our alliance. Now our strength has increased from 170 to 210. 40 MLAs of (NCP) are coming, says Maharashtra minister Uday Samant

All MLAs of NCP have decided to support us, says Maharashtra Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar.

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: Maharashtra minister Deepak Kesarkar

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has backing of 40 NCP MLAs & 6 NCP MLCs: Sources

Ajit Pawar changes his Twitter bio as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Several NCP leaders including Ajit Pawar extended support to the NDA govt in Maharashtra today.

Uddhav Thackeray faction leader and spokesperson Anand Dubey, says "The leaders who were in the opposition and used to criticise the government until yesterday, have joined the same government today. Today BJP wanted Ajit Pawar, so they took him, but we should not forget that BJP has a history to stab in the back"

NCP chief Sharad Pawar leaves from his residence in Pune

Several NCP leaders including Ajit Pawar extended support to the NDA govt in Maharashtra today.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde says "There is enough time to discuss about the seat sharing in the cabinet. We have come together to develop Maharashtra. They (the opposition) got 4-5 seats in Lok Sabha elections, this time they will not manage to get even those number of seats"

"Now we have 1 Chief Minister and 2 Deputy Chief Ministers. The double-engine government has now become triple engine. For the development of Maharashtra, I welcome Ajit Pawar and his leaders. Ajit Pawar's experience will help strengthen Maharashtra," CM Shinde.