Maharashtra NCP Chief Jayant Patil: Filed Petition For Ajit Pawar And 8 Other People’s Disqualification

The day after Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit Pawar switched and became the deputy chief minister of the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition, the party he created in 1999 saw a vertical split.

Eight additional NCP MLAs, including staunch Sharad Pawar supporters Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil, were promoted to the position of minister.

“A complaint was made at our state disciplinary committee, after which a disqualification petition was filed with the assembly speaker by email. We will also submit the petition physically after a few hours. We have also submitted it on WhatsApp and iMessage. Also, we have urged the assembly speaker to hear it tomorrow at the earliest,” NCP President Jayant Patil said.

“One MLA sent a complaint to the party which was sent to the disciplinary committee of the party. On the basis of their report, we have filed the petition by email to the speaker. We will be sending a physical copy of the petition soon,” Jayant Patil said.

“We have also approached ECI to state that all the party workers of all ranks and from all districts are with Sharad Pawar. We all stand with Sharad pawar,” he said.

Attacking the ministers for their disobedience, Patil remarked “A party cannot have nine MLAs. They violated the party line by swearing an oath. They have taken an oath without the NCP chief’s consent. Technically, nine MLAs cannot participate in the party. Rahul Narvekar, speaker of the Assembly, is expected to grant us time as soon as feasible.”

Patil said these MLAs of the NCP “cannot be called traitors as their betrayal has not yet been proved”. “Many are in touch with us”, he said.

Meanwhile, NCP working president and his cousin Supriya Sule on Sunday said the developments in the party will not impact the Opposition’s unity. Ajit Pawar may have different views, but she can never fight with her elder brother and that she will always love him as a sister, she said.