Warring NCP Factions Issue Whips To Show Strength, Jayant Patil Claims 44 MLAs With Sharad Pawar

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is facing a dispute between two factions, and both groups have scheduled meetings for their supporters on Wednesday (5 July).

NCP President Sharad Pawar and his nephew, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, have called for gatherings in Mumbai, where the attendance of MLAs will be closely observed.

Both factions have issued a whip to their MLAs, instructing them to attend the respective meetings. Jitendra Awhad, on behalf of Sharad Pawar, and Minister Anil Patil, on behalf of Ajit Pawar, issued the whips on Tuesday evening.

Sharad Pawar's meeting will be held at the YB Chavan center in Nariman Point, while Ajit Pawar's group has announced their meeting in Bandra. Leaders from both sides are reaching out to party office bearers across the state and various frontal organizations.

Ajit Pawar's camp leader, Praful Patel, claimed that they have the support of more than 40 MLAs. Patel emphasized that they joined the state government as a party and not as a separate group, asserting that the majority of the MLAs are with them.

However, according to the Ajit Pawar faction, they have the support of 43 MLAs, and a letter containing the signatures of MLAs and affidavits has been submitted to the Governor. Two MLAs have already stated that they are now with Sharad Pawar.

Kiran Lahamate, another MLA, mentioned that he signed the letter believing that the swearing-in ceremony had the silent blessings of the NCP president. However, after realizing that was not the case, he left the Raj Bhavan. Lahamate stated that he would announce his final decision after consulting the people of his constituency.

NCP State President Jayant Patil, who is aligned with Sharad Pawar, stated that all 44 MLAs belong to the NCP, and the party has taken action against the nine who joined the ruling alliance.

Patil urged that the MLAs should not be threatened, given false promises, or pressured. He confirmed that all these MLAs are ready to work under Sharad Pawar's leadership.

Sharad Pawar has already announced his plans to tour the state to rebuild the party and has called upon the youth of the state to join him.

Jitendra Awhad, appointed as the chief whip in the legislative assembly by the NCP, expressed confidence that many in Ajit Pawar's camp would regret their decision and return, as they are aware of Sharad Pawar's strength in elections.