NCP splits: Ajit Pawar joins Shinde government as deputy CM; Sharad Pawar 'undeterred'

In a political coup, NCP leader Ajit Pawar split the party on Sunday to join the NDA Government in Maharashtra. Pawar, who arrived at the Raj Bhavan in the afternoon with Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, took oath as the deputy chief minister, a post he will now share with BJP's Devendra Fadnavis.

Pawar switched sides along with nine NCP MLAs, reported PTI. The party has a total of 53 NCP MLAs in the state and according to the BJP, it now has the backing of over 40 MLAs.   

Besides Pawar, NCP leaders Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde and Anil Patil also took oath as ministers in the Shinde government. "Almost the entire NCP will be joining," BJP leader and Maharashtra minister Sudhir Mungantiwar told ANI ahead of the oath-taking ceremony.

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, who was present in the Raj Bhawan, said Ajit Pawar has resigned as the leader of the opposition (LoP) in the Lower House and the resignation has been accepted. Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal and NCP working president Praful Patel were also present in the Raj Bhawan.

Elections to the 288-member state Assembly are due next year.

Though Ajit Pawar has not yet publicly clarified his actions, an ANI report quoted sources that the MLAs accompanying Ajit Pawar to Raj Bhawan were upset with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar's 'unilateral' decision to share the stage and ally with Rahul Gandhi at the opposition unity meet in Bihar's Patna last month.

Ajit Pawar had recently claimed he was not keen on continuing as the Leader of the Opposition.

Earlier the day, Pawar had met some NCP workers at his official residence in Mumbai, a meeting which Sharad Pawar claimed to have no clue about. Sharad Pawar, who is in Pune, defended Ajit by stating that as a leader of the opposition (LoP) in the Maharashtra Assembly, can call a meeting of legislators.

Besides Bhujbal, the party's working president Supriya Sule was among the leaders present at the meeting held at Ajit Pawar's official residence 'Devgiri'.  

Sharad Pawar 'undeterred'

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday said NCP President Sharad Pawar is undeterred by the split in his party and can start afresh.

In a tweet, Raut said, "I just spoke with NCP Sharad Pawar. He said he is firm and people's support is behind us. We can make a fresh start with Uddhav Thackeray. Raut said people of Maharashtra will not tolerate such a "circus" for long. 

"Some people seem to be determined to completely spoil Maharashtra's politics. Let them proceed on their chosen path," said Raut.