14 MLAs on Sharad Pawar’s stage while Ajit Pawar flaunts strength of 29 MLAs

Mumbai: In a show of strength by both factions of the NCP, led by Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar respectively, vying for the support of a majority of MLAs, have gathered their supporting MLAs in different venues in Mumbai.

Fourteen MLAs have rallied behind veteran politician Sharad Pawar and have gathered at the YB Chavan Centre to demonstrate their allegiance. On the other hand, a show of strength at the Mumbai Education Trust boasts the presence of 29 MLAs firmly backing Ajit Pawar, who is currently the Deputy Chief Minister.

Adding to the intrigue, Devendra Bhuyar, an Independent MLA and a close aide of Ajit Pawar, reportedly visited Sharad Pawar at the YB Chavan Centre, raising questions about Bhuyar's allegiance and adding an element of uncertainty to the unfolding situation.

Joining Sharad Pawar's camp is Ashok Pawar, the NCP MLA from Shirur, who had previously stood beside Ajit Pawar during his recent swearing-in ceremony.

Sunil Tatkare, appointed as the state president of the NCP by Ajit Pawar, had earlier claimed that a majority of MLAs were supporting the Deputy Chief Minister. However, it remains to be seen whether the legislators who have refrained from attending either venue today will play a pivotal role when the Election Commission deliberates on the NCP's name and symbol.

The NCP currently holds 53 MLAs in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, with Ajit Pawar asserting that he enjoys the support of 43 of them. However, Jayant Patil, a prominent figure in Sharad Pawar's faction, has alleged that some MLAs who sided with Ajit Pawar were coerced or misled into doing so.

In response to the escalating tensions, Sharad Pawar's faction has submitted a petition to Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, seeking the disqualification of Ajit Pawar and the eight MLAs who have been sworn in as ministers in the Eknath Shinde-led government. This move indicates a strategy to challenge the legitimacy of Ajit Pawar's support base.

Notably, even if Ajit Pawar manages to secure the allegiance of 50 out of the 53 NCP MLAs, disqualification proceedings could still be initiated. The Supreme Court has previously ruled that a legislative party cannot remain independent of the original political party, emphasizing that a merger under the 10th schedule is necessary.

Consequently, the show of strength by Ajit Pawar is unlikely to impact the impending disqualification proceedings.

In the midst of the NCP turmoil, Eknath Shinde, leader of the Shiv Sena, has called for a crucial meeting with party legislators and other key leaders. This gathering comes in response to growing discontent within the party ranks regarding the inclusion of Ajit Pawar-led NCP legislators in the cabinet.

Shinde aims to address the concerns raised by party members during the meeting scheduled to take place at his official residence, Varsha Bungalow, later this evening.