New Delhi: Sharad Pawar, chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Monday had sacked Sunil Tatkare for ‘anti-party activities’, while Ajit Pawar appointed the latter as state president.

The announcement was made by NCP leader Praful Patel, who was also removed by Sharad Pawar this morning after he ‘defected’ to Eknath-BJP government.

Praful Patel, a Rajya Sabha MP who was appointed as NCP working president last month, said, “We are relieving Jayant Patil of his responsibilities and in his place, I am appointing Sunil Tatkare as Maharashtra President of NCP.”

Though the number of MLAs to support Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar’s foundational group seperately remained unclear, the rebel group appointed Ajit as the leader of NCP legislature party.

“We request Sharad Pawar to accept the decision of majority in the party. We want his blessings,” said Patel.

Earlier in the day, Sharad Pawar, through a notice, asked Ajit Pawar and his supporting MLAs to prevent themselves to misrepresent the fact that they have any association with the NCP.

Meanwhile, the Sharad Pawar’s NCP has 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 President Sharad Pawar removes Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare from the party pic.twitter.com/p7HP2n9cWl

— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2023