A day after holding a party meeting in South Mumbai where only a dozen of 53 MLAs were present, NCP president Sharad Pawar is in Delhi on Thursday for a national executive meeting. He was seen leaving his Mumbai residence early morning.
Ahead of the crucial meeting, posters have come up in front of the NCP office in support of Pawar. Some read: "In the fight of truth and lie, the entire country is with Sharad Pawar." "India's history is such that it has never forgiven those who have betrayed," read another one put up outside Pawar's residence in Delhi.
The NCP workers are also removing old posters and hoardings showing Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel from outside the office. A new poster with 'Gaddaar' (traitor) written on it is being put up there.
Rashtrawadi Vidyarthi Congress puts up a poster designed on a scene from the film 'Baahubali - The Beginning', showing its character 'Kattappa' stabbing 'Amarendra Baahubali' in the back in Delhi | ANI
Interestingly, some of the posters hailing Sharad Pawar were removed by New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).
The meetings come as NCP leader Sharad Pawar was criticised by his nephew Ajit Pawar over the octogenarian politician's age. Surrounded by NCP workers, including 32 of the party's 53 MLAs, Ajit Pawar had suggested that his uncle should give way to the younger generation. "You are 83, aren't you going to stop? Everybody has his innings. The most productive years are from 25 to 75 years. Give us your blessings and we will pray that you live a long life," Ajit Pawar said.
"For us, Saheb (Sharad Pawar) is a deity and we have deep respect for him. IAS officers retire at 60. Even in politics, BJP leaders retire at 75. You can see the example of L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi."
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Congress has also called a meeting of its Congress Core Committee in Mumbai on Thursday. The meeting will be chaired by the party's state president Nana Patole. The selection of the Opposition Leader and the current political situation in the state are expected to dominate the meeting. Discussions on upcoming Lok Sabha elections are also likely to be held.
