Maharashtra Power Twist: Three More MLAs Return to NCP, Ajit Pawar Left With One Legislator
Three more legislators of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Sunday made it clear that they did not leave the party.
Mumbai, November 24: Three more legislators of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Sunday made it clear that they did not leave the party. NCP MLA Anil Patil, in a tweet, announced that he was with Sharad Pawar, while "missing" legislator Daulat Daroda also indicated of returning to the NCP. Legislator Manikrao Kokate also reached the Renaissance Hotel where other MLAs of the party are staying. As a result of this, NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who supported the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Maharashtra, is now left with just one legislator. Sharad Pawar Says 8-11 NCP MLAs Hoodwinked to Attend Swearing-in Ceremony of Ajit Pawar.
In his tweet, Patil said that he had gone to Raj Bhawan (Governor's office) because Ajit Pawar was the legislature party leader of NCP. "I wasn’t aware of what was going to happen at Raj Bhawan. I am with Sharad Pawar," Patil said. His tweet was also tagged by NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik. Shahapur NCP MLA Daulat Daroda also announced that he was not leaving the party. However, he said that he was with both Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar. Maharashtra Government Formation: Devendra Fadnavis Gets 24 Hours to Submit Letter of Support.
"I'm safe. I have come after winning the election on the clock symbol (NCP), so there's no question of changing the party. Whatever decision Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar take, I am with that. Don't believe in any rumours," he said in a message. Daroda had gone "missing" after reaching Raj Bhavan the morning when BJP's Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar took oath as chief minister and deputy CM, respectively. Manikrao Kokate, who reportedly accompanied Ajit Pawar to the Governor’s residence, also returned on Sunday evening.
Of 54 NCP MLAs, 51 have openly supported Sharad Pawar. The lone legislator who is with Ajit Pawar is Nitin Pawar. Immediately after the news of Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar's swearing-in broke out on Saturday morning, Sharad Pawar swung into action. By the end of the day, 50 out of 54 MLAs, including Dhananjay Munde, had returned to the NCP. Meanwhile, efforts were on to convince Ajit Pawar.
In a stunning turn of events, Fadnavis on Saturday returned as chief minister propped up by Ajit Pawar, who was made his deputy, just hours after the new alliance of Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress reached a consensus that Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will be their chief ministerial candidate.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 24, 2019 02:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).