NCP files disqualification petition against Ajit Pawar, 8 party MLAs: ‘9 of them can’t be a party’

NCP state president Jayant Patil said the nine MLAs were disqualified the moment they took oath as ministers in the Maharashtra government.

“The nine MLAs of the NCP were sworn in as ministers. We have filed a disqualification petition for those nine MLAs with the Assembly Speaker through e-mail. We have also written to ECI (Election Commission of India). We have informed them that the nine MLAs have acted against the NCP’s position. This has been done to prevent anyone coming to stake claim on our party,” Patil said.

“We have appointed Jitendra Awhad as the Chief Whip. This is based on the order of the SC’s five-member bench led by CJI. Awhad is now authorised to take further action,” he added.

The senior party leader said the NCP’s petition for the cancellation of the membership of these nine MLAs should be heard at the earliest.

“All the activists of Maharashtra are with Sharad Pawar. Many office bearers of the party from all districts have come out in support. Nine MLAs cannot be a party. The oath they have taken is an act without telling the party president. We have taken steps according to the announcement that NCP will take legal steps in this regard,” he said.

“By taking the oath, the MLAs indulged in activities which are against the party’s interest and policy. Their actions are illegal and have been taken while keeping the party in the dark,” Patil said.

He also expressed hope Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar will call them for a hearing on this matter as soon as possible.

Acknowledging that he has received the NCP’s disqualification petition, Narwekar said, “I will study the petition and will take a decision accordingly”.