Mumbai. Political upheaval is going on in Maharashtra these days. In this episode, both the factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will perform a show of strength today. On behalf of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, a whip has been issued to the MLAs to be present in the meeting held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan in Mumbai. Pawar himself has called the MLAs of the party ( party ) and called them for a meeting. On the other hand, Ajit Pawar has also called state, district and taluka level office bearers including party MLAs for a meeting at the MET complex in Bandra. Sunil Tatkare will preside over the meeting on behalf of Ajit Pawar.
Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar faction issued whip
In fact, amid different claims regarding the number of supporting MLAs, both groups of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are set to organize their respective supporters’ meetings on Wednesday. NCP President Sharad Pawar and his nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar have called for their supporters to gather in Mumbai, with all eyes on the presence of MLAs in those meetings. Both the groups of NCP have issued whip to their MLAs to attend the respective meetings.
Ajit Pawar faction needs 36 MLAs to avoid disqualification
Jitendra Awhad on behalf of Sharad Pawar and Minister Anil Patil on behalf of Ajit Pawar issued a whip on Tuesday evening. Ajit camp leader Praful Patel claimed on Tuesday that more than 40 MLAs are with him. He said, “We have already said that we have the support of more than 40 MLAs. We have joined the state government as a party, not as a separate group. Patel said that we are very clear on the fact that most of the MLAs are with us. NCP has 53 MLAs in the assembly. To avoid disqualification for breaking the party whip, Ajit’s faction needs the support of two-thirds i.e. 36 MLAs.
Ajit Pawar faction claims support of 43 MLAs
According to the Ajit camp, he has the support of 43 MLAs and a letter with the signatures and affidavits of the MLAs has been submitted to the Governor. However, two MLAs have already said that they are now with Sharad Pawar. Another MLA Kiran Lahamate said on Tuesday that he signed the letter thinking that the swearing-in ceremony was the NCP president’s tacit blessing. He said, “But after realizing that was not the case, I left the Raj Bhavan.” However, he said that he would announce his final decision after talking to the people of the constituency.
44 MLAs are with NCP: Jayant Patil
NCP state president Jayant Patil, who was present with Sharad Pawar, said all 44 MLAs belong to the NCP and the party has taken action against the nine MLAs who joined the ruling coalition. Jayant Patil said, “Except those nine MLAs, all the MLAs belong to the NCP. They are not from any other group. They should not be threatened, given false promises and should not be pressurized.” The NCP state chief said that all these MLAs are ready to work under Sharad Pawar. Both the groups are set for a show of strength on Wednesday, with the NCP president meeting at the Y B Chavan Center at Nariman Point, while Ajit’s group has announced a meeting in Bandra.