In a stunning twist to the political saga in Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar resigned on Tuesday afternoon, hours after the Supreme Court ordered a floor test in the state on Wednesday.
Ajit Pawar, nephew of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, had taken oath on Saturday in support of a BJP government, triggering vehement protests by the NCP, Shiv Sena and Congress, which have formed an alliance.
According to media reports, Ajit Pawar was being coaxed by members of Sharad Pawar's family to return to the alliance with the Shiv Sena and Congress. Ajit had publicly declared his commitment to a BJP-led government and claimed he had the support of all NCP MLAs.
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However on Monday night, he was the only NCP MLA missing from a joint meeting with the NCP and Congress.
Interestingly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to meet mediapersons at 3.30pm on Tuesday, triggering speculation he also could resign.
The resignation by Ajit Pawar comes amid jubilation by the NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena after the Supreme Court order to conduct the floor test. The three parties had paraded 162 MLAs in total on Monday, well past the majority mark of 145 in the 288-member Assembly.
Raising doubts about the BJP's prospects of gaining a majority, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Monday told ANI, “NDA doesn't have the majority yet. I am sure we will get it by tomorrow [Wednesday] as we trust Ajit Pawar that he will bring his MLAs”. Athawale is the leader of the RPI (Athawale), an ally of the BJP.
