War within NCP: Show of strength today as both factions issue whip

Both the groups of the NCP have issued whip to its MLAs to attend the respective meetings. Jitendra Awhad on behalf of Sharad Pawar and minister Anil Patil on behalf of Ajit Pawar on Tuesday evening issued the whips.

Ajit camp’s leader Praful Patel on Tuesday claimed that more than 40 MLAs are with them.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar addresses supporters after paying tribute to former Maharashtra chief minister Yashwantrao Chavan in Karad on Monday. (PTI)

“We have already said that we have the support of more than 40 MLAs. We have joined the state government as a party and not as a separate group. We are very clear on the fact that majority of the MLAs are with us,” said Patel.

The NCP has 53 MLAs in the legislative assembly. To avoid disqualification for breaking party whip, the Ajit group needs the support of two third MLAs which is 36.

According to the Ajit camp, it has a support of 43 MLAs and a letter with signs of MLAs and affidavits have been submitted to the Governor.

However, two of the MLAs have already said that they are now with Sharad Pawar.

Another MLA Kiran Lahamate on Tuesday said that he signed on the letter thinking the swearing in ceremony had silent blessings of the NCP president.

“But after realising that it was not the case, I left the Raj Bhavan,” he said.

He, however, said that he will announce his final decision after interacting with the people of constituency.

NCP state president Jayant Patil, who is with Sharad Pawar, said that all 44 MLAs are of the NCP and the party has taken action against the nine who joined the ruling alliance.

“All MLAs except those nine are of the NCP. They are not from any other group. They should not be threatened, should not be given false promises and should not be pressured,” said Patil.

The NCP state chief said that all these MLAs are ready to work under Sharad Pawar.

Both the groups are set to make a show of strength on Wednesday with NCP president’s meeting to be held at the Y B Chavan center at Nariman Point while the Ajit’s group has announced the meeting at Bandra.

Leaders from both sides are busy calling up the office bearers from across the state as well as those of different frontal organisations of the party.

Sharad Pawar has already announced that he will be on a state tour to rebuild the party and has given a call to youth of the state.

“This has made many from the Ajit Pawar camp regret their decision and we are confident that they will return. Nobody wants to mess with Sharad Pawar as everybody knows his strength when it comes to elections,” said Jitendra Awhad, who has been appointed as the chief whip in the legislative assembly by the NCP.