In a shocking turn of events NCP leader Ajit Pawar joined the Eknath Shinde-ruled government in Maharashtra. There were claims made by Ajit Pawar’s faction that 9 MLAs will be taking oath as ministers in the already-running Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction and BJP government and has the support of over 25 MLAs from the state’s legislative assembly.
Ajit Pawar today met the Governor of the state to submit his resignation as Leader of the opposition along with his faction of supporters. The development comes weeks after NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar named his daughter Supriya Sule and NCP leader Praful Patel as the working president of the party.
Among the leaders joining along with Ajit Pawar are Chaggan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil, Hassan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde, Aditi Tatkare, Sanjay Bansode and Anil Bhaidas Patil.
BJP leaders in Maharashtra have welcomed the decision and Shinde led Shiv Sena has also extended their support to the NCP faction joining hands with the government. In a oath taking ceremony held at Governor House in Mumbai, Ajit Pawar was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister and his associates took oath as members of the cabinet.
Post oath taking ceremony Ajit Pawar refrained to comment initially but held a press conference explaining his step and clarified that his faction has joined the government as NCP only. Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister of Maharashtra commented that under the able leadership of PM Modi our double engine government is now triple engine and guarantees development.
Sharad Pawar also held a follow up press conference stating that he does not consider this union and the betrayal was unacceptable to the party members. NCP supremo also claimed that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and TMC chief and West Bengal CM Mamta Banerjee has extended their support to him.