A day after the announcement of single-phase Assembly elections in Maharashtra to be held on November 20, the ruling Nationalist Congress Party led by Ajit Pawar is faced with a number of dissenting voices which has forced the party leadership to issue stern warning that no anti-party activities will be tolerated. The trigger for the warning was a statement made by the party legislator from the Maharashtra Legislative Council Satish Chavan who has blamed the Mahayuti government for not finding a way out to the issues of reservations of the Maratha, OBC, Dhangar, tribals and Muslim communities and how it has failed to handle the protests by pro-Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil. Chavan in a release claimed, “As the government has not looked at the issues pertaining to the Maratha community, many Maratha youths are committing suicides in the state.” “Such a statement from the party’s senior legislator is unacceptable especially when NCP is a key ally in Mahayuti government. I will speak to the party national president (Ajit Pawar) to initiate the disciplinary action against Chavan. One thing is clear that the party will not tolerate statements against NCP or Mahayuti at a time when the assembly election process is underway. It will also not tolerate anti-party activities,’’ said NCP state president Sunil Tatkare. In another note of dissent, party’s Pune city chief Deepak Mankar publicly expressed displeasure over not considering his nomination to the state council from the Governor’s quota. Tatkare said, “I will personally speak to him. One thing is clear. One who works for the party expects his or her elevation as the legislator. There is nothing wrong with it. However, statements made by Mankar and Chavan are completely different. Chavan’s statement is clearly against the Mahayuti which is not acceptable.’’ Another party legislator and former minister Rajendra Shingne from Buldhana in Vidarbha region is said to be in the process of quitting NCP to join the Sharad Pawar led party. Tatkare said that during the Mahayuti government substantial funds were allocated in his constituency. “Besides, the Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar helped to organise Rs 300 crore for the Buldhana district cooperative bank which was in financial difficulty as per Shingane’s request.’’ However, Tatkare said, “After we have spoken to Shingane who has told us that he is not leaving the party.’’ NCP's chief spokesperson Umesh Patil was also reportedly miffed over the party leadership and has already held a meeting with Sharad Pawar. According to sources, Patil is set to change sides in coming days.
