Amid fight over NCP control, Ajit Pawar faction leader Praful Patel clicks photo with Sharad Pawar

Patel, a Rajya Sabha MP from the NCP, was one of the key supporters of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar after he chose to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on July 2 along with eight other NCP leaders.

The move was not approved by Sharad Pawar, who has chosen to remain in opposition.

An electrifying day at the new Parliament House! The Rajya Sabha Chamber is a marvel, and sharing this moment with Hon’ble Sharad Pawar Saheb makes it even more special. And now, savoring some snacks and camaraderie with friends in the cafeteria – truly a day to remember! 🇮🇳… pic.twitter.com/Z1J105wHn9

— Praful Patel (@praful_patel) September 19, 2023

After joining the government and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the Ajit Pawar-led group has also staked claim on the NCP and its election symbol. The matter is presently with the Election Commission of India (ECI) and after seeking responses from both sides, the poll panel has fixed the hearing date on October 6.

Amid this background, the bonhomie between Patel and Pawar has raised doubts about the further turn of events. However, this is not the first time that rebel NCP leaders from the Ajit Pawar faction have met Sharad Pawar.

Last week, Maharashtra Cooperation Minister and former trusted aide of Sharad Pawar, Dilip Walse-Patil was part of the meeting with the NCP chief in Pune. They were seen exchanging greetings in videos of the meeting.

While the Ajit Pawar-led group still recognises Sharad Pawar as its leader, the veteran politician has asked the rebel leaders to not use his photograph.

The photo also comes a day after NCP’s Lok Sabha MP and Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha to launch an investigation into the allegations of corruption he had levelled against the NCP, particularly on Ajit Pawar without naming him.

In June, PM Modi while addressing a BJP function in Bhopal had alleged multi-thousand crore scams in Maharashtra’s irrigation sector as well as Maharashtra State Central Cooperative Bank Limited. A few days later Ajit Pawar had joined hands with the BJP.

While Sharad Pawar on numerous occasions since then has asked Modi to launch an inquiry, it was for the first time that Sule asked the Prime Minister to announce a probe into the allegations.

NCP Maharashtra spokesperson Mahesh Tapase on Wednesday reiterated Sule’s demand and said the Central Government must take action.