| 05 July 2023
The internal power struggle within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has reached a critical juncture as rival factions, led by party chief Sharad Pawar and his nephew Ajit Pawar, have called for separate meetings in Mumbai today. The meetings, to be held at different venues, are expected to shed light on the true number of MLAs supporting each faction and determine the future course of the party.
The Sharad Pawar faction has scheduled their meeting at 1 pm in the prestigious YB Chavan Centre in south Mumbai. Jitendra Awhad, serving as the chief whip for this faction, has urged party MLAs, MPs, and office-bearers from all across the state to attend the meeting. Meanwhile, the Ajit Pawar group will convene at 11 am at the Mumbai Education Trust (MET) premises in suburban Bandra. Anil Patil, appointed as the chief whip for this faction, has actively propagated the meeting.
The conflicting claims regarding the number of MLAs supporting each faction have added fuel to the ongoing power struggle. Ajit Pawar, who recently assumed the position of deputy chief minister in the Shiv Sena-BJP cabinet, maintains that all 53 NCP MLAs support him. However, the Sharad Pawar camp disputes this, asserting that Ajit Pawar only enjoys the backing of 13 MLAs. With 53 MLAs in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, Ajit Pawar would need the support of at least 36 MLAs to avoid invoking the provisions of the anti-defection law. His camp contends that 36 MLAs have signed a letter of support, while the BJP, a coalition partner, claims that over 40 legislators back Ajit Pawar. On the other hand, the Sharad Pawar faction insists that, apart from the nine MLAs who joined the government, the remaining MLAs remain loyal to the senior Pawar.
To escalate the tension further, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP has already filed a disqualification petition against Ajit Pawar and the eight MLAs who were sworn in as ministers. This move aims to challenge the legitimacy of Ajit Pawar's actions and secure the party's unity under the leadership of Sharad Pawar.
In a retaliatory move, the Ajit Pawar camp has responded by seeking the disqualification of Jayant Patil and Jitendra Awhad, who were nominated as the Leader of the Opposition by Sharad Pawar. This tit-for-tat maneuver illustrates the deep divisions and bitter rivalry that have surfaced within the NCP, threatening to disrupt the party's stability and influence in Maharashtra politics.
The separate meetings taking place today will serve as a critical juncture for the NCP. They are likely to reveal the actual level of support each faction commands and provide insights into the future direction the party may take. As the meetings unfold, political observers and party members alike are waiting with bated breath to witness the outcome of this intense power struggle within the Nationalist Congress Party.
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