3 July 2023, Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar firmly denied any involvement in his nephew Ajit Pawar’s rebellion, as the party faces its most significant crisis to date. Ajit Pawar, now the deputy chief minister in Maharashtra’s Eknath Shinde-led government, received no blessings from his uncle, who displayed a show of strength to reassert his authority over the party. Reacting to the rebellion, Sharad Pawar promptly removed Praful Patel, the party’s working president, and Sunil Tatkare, the general secretary and treasurer, who had sided with Ajit Pawar in his revolt, accusing them of engaging in “anti-party” activities.
Sharad Pawar, the former Union agriculture minister, used Twitter to announce the removal of Patel and Tatkare from the Register of Members of NCP Party for their participation in anti-party activities. He directly addressed Patel, a Rajya Sabha MP and recent appointee as NCP working president, as well as Tatkare in his tweet. Sharad Pawar emphasized that the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly is determined by the Speaker and not by a party official.
Ajit Pawar, undeterred by the notice of disqualification against him and eight newly sworn-in ministers, as well as the sacking of Patel and Tatkare, expressed confidence in the “mahayuti” government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He affirmed that the government would work for the welfare of the state and its people, highlighting the deputy chief minister’s position they secured.
Ajit Pawar criticized Jayant Patil’s decision to appoint Awhad as the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, asserting that it is the prerogative of the Assembly Speaker, and the party with the highest number of seats should receive the post.
Sharad Pawar, undeterred by the actions of a few leaders, initiated a statewide tour to strengthen the NCP and boost the confidence of its workers. During a press conference in Satara district, he dismissed the notion that Ajit Pawar’s rebellion had his blessings, condemning it as a mean and baseless claim. Sharad Pawar reaffirmed his commitment to galvanizing the cadre and ensuring that they remain unaffected by the actions of a few leaders.
Speaking separately to NCP workers and supporters in Karad, Satara district, the 82-year-old politician emphasized the need to combat forces that sow communal divisions in Maharashtra and the country. He expressed concern about defections within the NCP, suggesting that some members had fallen prey to the BJP’s tactics to destabilize other parties. Sharad Pawar stressed the importance of safeguarding democracy and countering the forces that spread fear among peace-loving citizens.
Prior to addressing the gathering, the NCP president paid tribute to his mentor, Maharashtra’s first CM Yashwantrao Chavan, at his memorial in Karad, offering floral tributes as a mark of respect.