NCP crisis: Party symbol is with us, asserts Sharad Pawar

Ajit Pawar, the MLA from Baramati constituency in Pune district, and nephew of Sharad Pawar, orchestrated a coup after he joined the Eknath Shind-led Shiv Sena-BJP government.

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said that the party symbol would remain with him and that the party workers who brought the party to power are with them.

"The party symbol is with us, it is not going anywhere. The people and party workers who brought us to power are with us," Sharad Pawar said addressing the meeting of party workers at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in south Mumbai. In a major political development, Ajit Pawar orchestrated a coup and joined the Shiv Sena-BJP Maharashtra government led by Eknath Shinde on Sunday last.

"Ajit Pawar should have spoken to me if he had any problems. If he had something on his mind he could have approached me. We were not taken into confidence by the MLAs who decided to split. Ajit Pawar faction has not followed any procedure," added Sharad Pawar, a former Union Minister.

NCP working president Supriya Sule also lashed out at the BJP saying it was the "most corrupt" party. Supriya Sule said, "Disrespect us, but not our father (Sharad Pawar)." "This fight is against the BJP government. The BJP is the most corrupt party in the country," said Supriya Sule, who represents the Baramati constituency in the Lok Sabha.

Sharad Pawar's nephew Ajit Pawar on Sunday last led a rebellion and joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government Maharashtra government. NCP Maharashtra chief Jayant Patil was present for the key meeting. As many as 13 MLAs, 3 MLCs, and 5 MPs are present at Sharad Pawar-led meeting. The 13 MLAs include Anil Deshmukh, Rohit Pawar, Rajendra Shingne, Ashok Pawar, Kiran Lahmate, Prajakta Tanpure, Balasaheb Patil, Jitendra Awhad, Chetan Vithal Tupe, Jayant Patil, Rajesh Tope, Sandeep Kshirsagar and Devendra Bhuyar. The 5 MPs who have backed Sharad Pawar include Srinivas Patil (Lok Sabha), Supriya Sule (Lok Sabha), Amol Kolhe (Lok Sabha), Fauzia Khan (Rajya Sabha), and Vandana Chavan (Rajya Sabha).

The 3 MLCs, who have backed the NCP supremo, include Shashikant Shinde, Babajani Durani, and Eknath Khadse.

Ajit Pawar, the MLA from Baramati constituency in Pune district, and nephew of Sharad Pawar, orchestrated a coup after he joined the Eknath Shind-led Shiv Sena-BJP government. Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said those who 'betrayed' his ideology should not use his photograph.

On Monday, June 4, NCP president Sharad Pawar announced the removal of MPs Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel from the party for anti-party activities. Shortly after this, Praful Patel, the sacked NCP 'working president', said he has appointed Ajit Pawar as leader of the NCP legislature party and Sunil Tatkare as Maharashtra NCP unit president after removing Jayant Patil, the state chief of the faction led by Sharad Pawar.