Battle for NCP: Pawar Sr sacks 9 MLAs, Ajit names new state chief

NCP supporters defaced posters of party leaders who joined the government, during a protest in Mumbai. (Express photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)Hours after Sharad Pawar-led NCP initiated action to disqualify nine NCP MLAs who rebelled and were sworn in as ministers in the BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra on Sunday, Ajit Pawar challenged it, and claimed that his camp had the support of the majority of NCP MLAs.

Praful Patel, who was appointed on June 21 by Sharad Pawar as NCP’s Working President, but chose to go along with Ajit Pawar and ally with the BJP-Sena (Shinde) government, announced the removal of Jayant Patil as the party’s State President and appointed Sunil Tatkare to the position.

Minutes later, however, Sharad Pawar suspended Patel and National General Secretary Sunil Tatkare from the party. In a letter addressed to them, Pawar said their action and that of eight other MLAs who were sworn in as Ministers on Sunday, to support Ajit Pawar, was in violation of the party’s direction and mandate. The letter said their act amounted to anti-party activity and the two were deemed to have voluntarily left the membership of NCP.

NCP leader Ajit Pawar addressed a press conference after he was sworn in as the Maharashtra Deputy CM. (Express photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

“In the light of your undisputed conduct, by the power bestowed upon me as the National President of the Nationalist Congress Party vide the Rules framed under Article 21(vi)(a) of the Party Constitution, I, hereby formally remove your names from the Membership Register of the Party in view of your actions of voluntarily giving up membership of the Nationalist Congress Party,” Pawar said.

Earlier, addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Praful Patel announced the appointment of Ajit Pawar as the leader of the legislative party in the state Assembly. Ajit Pawar reiterated the group led by him is the NCP and he has the party as well as the party’s poll symbol. To a question on who the NCP chief will be, Ajit Pawar said, “Have you forgotten that Sharad Pawar is the party’s national President?”

Patel said the party had started making structural changes. “As part of it, we have decided to remove Jayant Patil from the post of party President and appoint Sunil Tatkare as the new State President of NCP. Tatkare will have the rights of making appointments of other office bearers of the party… Anil Bhaidas Patil will be retained as chief whip of the party in the Assembly,” he said.

Patel and Ajit Pawar indicated they were not averse to taking the battle to the Election Commission. When asked who will get the symbol and party name, Ajit Pawar said, “There are some parameters of majority based on which the Election Commission decides who will have the party name and symbol. So based on that soon you would understand if such a dispute about the party symbol or name arises.”

Patel said, “Only the Election Commission can give the right to use the symbol and name of the party. If such a dispute arises, then the decision would be taken by the Election Commission.”

While it is not clear how many MLAs support either faction, all eyes are set on July 5 when Ajit Pawar has called a meeting of all legislators and party functionaries.

On the disqualification petitions moved by the Sharad Pawar faction against the nine NCP legislators, Patel said, “No action of disqualification can be taken by anyone as we have the numbers.” Ajit Pawar said they have submitted a petition to Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar to disqualify Jayant Patil and Jitendra Awhad as MLAs.

“I learnt from media reports that some action is being taken against nine of the NCP MLAs. In this context, I wish to inform you that I have been appointed as group leader of the NCP MLAs in the house and that we have petitioned the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker to disqualify Jayant Patil and Jitendra Awhad,” Ajit Pawar said.

Taking swipe at his uncle and NCP chief Sharad Pawar that he would take the battle for the party to the public and not opt for a legal route to take control of the party, Ajit said, “Some people (Sharad Pawar) yesterday said that they will go to the public and not go the legal route, however, they have now started the legal proceedings. This is something that should not happen. What we are doing is in the interest of the party. Since last night, notices have been issued to our MLAs and suspensions are being announced… I want to say that all this is meaningless. This is being done to confuse the MLAs who are with us. We are taking steps to ensure that our MLAs do not face legal challenges.”’

Tatkare, appointed state NCP chief by Ajit Pawar, said he will call for a meeting of all party functionaries in Mumbai on July 5. “I have taken over as the State President of the NCP and I will strengthen the party in the state. I have taken into confidence all leaders of the party. I have also called a meeting of all the legislators, zila parishad leaders and party functionaries on July 5,” he said.

Explained: Stage set for long legal battle

Following the rebellion by Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar sacked nine of his dissenting MLAs. Ajit Pawar struck back by sacking two leaders from the Pawar camp, setting the stage for a prolonged legal battle similar to what the state witnessed during the Shiv Sena split.