Maharashtra Politics: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) submitted a disqualification petition against newly-appointed deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar and 8 colleagues after the latter took party MLAs to join hands with Shinde-BJP state government on July 2.
NCP state chief Jayant Patil, in a late night conference yesterday with MP Supriya Sule and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Jitendra Awhad, said the party has submitted the petition yesterday to the Assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar.
Earlier in the day, NCP’s Maharashtra president Jayant Patil, said, “We have sent a petition to the Assembly speaker last night. We requested him to hear us. Our party’s strength in the Assembly is 53, of which 9 have defected, the rest all are with us. We will give them a fair chance to come back but will take action against those who do not come back.”
#WATCH | NCP's Maharashtra president Jayant Patil, says "We have sent a petition to the Assembly speaker last night. We requested him to hear us. Our party's strength in the Assembly is 53, of which 9 have defected, the rest all are with us. We will give them a fair chance to… pic.twitter.com/pAr9ngSewU
— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2023
“The nine legislators have engaged in anti-party activities, and the moment they took the oath, they stand disqualified,” said Patil.
NCP leader Jitendra Awhad reached Maharashtra speaker's office to hand over his appointment letter.
On Sunday, NCP appointed Jitendra Awhad as the chief whip to the Assembly speaker after party leader Ajit Pawar sided with Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government while still… pic.twitter.com/ff7acFu4PN
— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2023
After the Ajit Pawar’s move to side with the ruling dispensation, NCP chief Sharad Pawar declared Jitendra Awhad as new Leader of Opposition (LoP). Earlier in the day, Jitendra Awhad reached Maharashtra speaker’s office to hand over his appointment letter.
Also Read: Maharashtra: With NCP’s Ajit Pawar moving to Eknath govt, What next for MVA, Congress?
Maharashtra Politics: Jayant Patil claims MLAs want to return
However, a tussle between the NCP’s chunk that ‘defected’ to Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fanavis government and the Sharad Pawar’s loyalists has errupted over the rebels’ support to the ruling dispensation.
NCP MLC Amol Mitkari who emphasised on his alligience with NCP said they are expecting more MLAs to connect with them, while the party’s foundational group said the ‘defected’ leaders intends to return.
“I am here since yesterday, several MLAs are coming to meet us. Those 35 MLAs who supported Ajit Pawar yesterday are with Ajit Dada even today. There are more leaders who are joining us. I was with NCP and I will be with NCP always,” said the MLC.
#WATCH | NCP MLC Amol Mitkari, says "I am here since yesterday, several MLAs are coming to meet us. Those 35 MLAs who supported Ajit Pawar yesterday are with Ajit Dada even today. There are more leaders who are joining us. I was with NCP and I will be with NCP always. It is not… pic.twitter.com/tm07CnOOMB
— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2023
“They are in touch with us and will return soon. First, they should visit their respective constituencies and have discussions with the voters regarding their decision to leave Mr. Sharad Pawar before making any further decisions. We have take action against only nine MLAs who took oath today, and so far nothing against the other MLAs,” said Jayant Patil.
