Mumbai, Feb 15 (IANS) Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Thursday ruled that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is the 'real NCP', and also said the legislators from both the NCP factions are "not disqualified".

Delivering his verdict on the disqualification petitions filed by both rival NCP factions after the party split in June 2023, the Speaker said that a majority -- 41 MLAs are with Ajit Pawar, compared with 14 with the Sharad Pawar group.

Narwekar considered the majority in the legislature as the criteria and ruled that the Ajit Pawar group had the maximum number of MLAs compared with the Sharad Pawar group, hence the former (Ajit Pawar) group was the 'real NCP'.

While the Ajit Pawar group had 41 of the total 53 MLAs, which was rejected by the Sharad Pawar side both sides claimed that the election to the party president post was not as per its Constitution, there was no challenge to Sharad Pawar's presidentship till June 29, 2023, but the next day (June 30, 2023) there were two presidents, observed the Speaker.

The Speaker said he had based his ruling on the five petitions before him he applied criteria like the NCP's constitution, leadership structure, majority in the legislature, the directions of the Supreme Court, the records of the legislature and the documents submitted by both the factions.

Since the legal criteria were not fulfilled, the two tests of party constitution and leadership structure were not applicable in this case, and accordingly it was possible to decide which is the real NCP on the criterion of the majority in the legislature, he said.

"Prior to joining the (Maharashtra) government, the Ajit Pawar faction outnumbered the Sharad Pawar faction in terms of number of MLAs and MLCs. Two parallel party presidents and structures existed before July 2, 2023 when Ajit Pawar became part of the government," said Narwekar.

The Speaker also dismissed the petitions by both factions, seeking to 'disqualify' the MLAs of each other citing various grounds.

NCP (SP) National General Secretary Jitendra Awhad slammed the Speaker's verdict, terming it a 'laughable', and said that the law has been trampled upon, and cited contradictions between the Speaker’s ruling and the recent observations by Election Commission.

NCP (SP) senior leader Eknath Khadse said that the Speaker has given a stamp of approval to the person who has the support of the higher number of legislators but all other aspects like forming the party, nurturing it, getting people elected, etc. were completely ignored.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said that it is a daylight murder of democracy by the Speaker and the NCP-SP should give it a challenge.

SS-UBT MLA Aditya Thackeray said that this is an insult to all the icons of the state, people are asking whether 'democracy and constitution exist' in India or not, and warned that the people will teach the Bharatiya Janata Party a lesson in the next elections. NCP President Ajit Pawar declined to comment before reading the Speaker's verdict, while his other party colleagues including Chief Whip Anil Patil hailed the ruling.

The decision proved another huge setback to Sharad Pawar, and came days after the Election Commission of India (ECI) allotted the NCP party and its 'Clock' symbol to the Ajit Pawar group.

The Sharad Pawar faction, which was recently given the temporary name of 'NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar', has challenged the EC decision in the Supreme Court.

Kolhapur, Aug 26 (IANS) A day after the political row over his statements, Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar said on Saturday that he remains NCP's national President while Jayant Patil is the state President, reiterating that the party “has not split”.

He reiterated that though some MLAs have quit the party, they don’t constitute a political unit and the party has not split -- referring to the breakaway faction led by his nephew Ajit Pawar.

“Why give them importance by taking their names? People are upset with those who have gone with the BJP. I can see a change coming in Maharashtra and the people will show the BJP its real place,” declared Pawar.

Touching on the upcoming third meeting of the grand opposition alliance I.N.D.I.A., Pawar said that it would review the preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and chart out programmes for joint electioneering in different parts of the country.

Launching a strong attack on the BJP, he said they have unleashed central probe agencies against the Opposition parties and their leaders.

“I shall continue to fight against such fascist forces… There has been misuse of central investigating agencies (CBI, ED and I-T). Those who couldn’t face them have gone with them,” he said.

Pawar also revealed how NCP leaders like Nawab Malik and Anil Deshmukh, and Shiv Sena (UBT)’s MP Sanjay Raut were threatened with the ED-CBI and asked to join the BJP.

“They displayed courage and opposed them… So they ended up in jail. They (Malik, Deshmukh, Raut) deserve to be saluted,” said Pawar.

Without taking names, he rued how several of his former associates - who had no guts to face the probe agencies - jumped ship to the ruling side and freed themselves from all the problems.

Mumbai, July 17 (IANS) Over a fortnight after dumping Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar, the splinter group led by Ajit Pawar met the party patriarch on Monday with a similar plea for the second time in two days – his nod to keep the party "intact".

New Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar sprang a surprise on his uncle Sharad Pawar – making an unscheduled call on the latter on Monday afternoon, accompanied by over two dozen MLAs from his group.

Accompanied by the faction’s Working President Praful Patel, Ajit Pawar, and others suddenly trooped down to the Y. B. Chavan Centre at Nariman Point to meet Pawar Sr.

Pawar initially obliged the duo of Patel and Ajit Pawar with a separate meeting and later he also met over two dozen MLAs who had pulled the rug from under him to switch sides with his nephew’s faction since July 1.

Emerging from the meeting, Patel later told media persons that many of the MLAs who were unable to meet Sharad Pawar on Sunday clamoured to go and seek his "blessings".

“We sought Pawar Saheb’s blessings and spoke with him… We have requested him to consider measures to keep the NCP united… He gave us a very patient hearing but did not commit anything,” he said.

This comment was near-identical to his statements made after the Sunday meeting that had sent political circles into a tizzy.

Pressed for Pawar’s possible response, Patel threw up his hand to declare that “we have taken his ‘ashirwaad’ and presented our views… how can I tell you right now what’s going on in his mind”.

Incidentally, Sharad Pawar was expected to be in Bengaluru for the two-day National Opposition parties’ conclave, but he postponed his departure till Tuesday morning.

Patel’s claims apart on the second meeting in two days with a similar request to Pawar Sr., speculation was rife in political circles that it may be linked with the notices of disqualification served by the NCP on Ajit Pawar and his team of ministers who took oath on July 2.

From the Sharad Pawar side, present were state NCP President Jayant Patil, national General Secretary Dr. Jitendra Awhad and other senior leaders.

Monday’s meeting came a day after Ajit Pawar, along with his ministerial team and other leaders, paid a walk-in call to Sharad Pawar on Sunday afternoon. After the Sunday meeting, Patel told media persons that they had gone “to seek Sharad Pawar’s blessings and also make unity efforts for the splintered NCP”, but the octogenarian leader remained non-committal.

Senior Congress leader Yashomati Thakur frowned at “such meetings” while other party leaders said that these are creating confusion not only among the NCP cadres, but also in the state political circles.

NCP national spokesperson Clyde Crasto said this was “another failed attempt” by the Ajit Pawar group to show the people of Maharashtra that they could pacify Sharad Pawar.

“It will not make any difference because a lot of water has flown under the bridge of trust… What this group (Ajit Pawar) has done cannot be rectified now,” he said.

As far as Ajit Pawar is concerned this was his third meeting in four days with Sharad Pawar and NCP Working President Supriya Sule at the latter’s home when he rushed to call on his ailing aunt Pratibha Sharad Pawar on July 14 night, justifying that ‘politics is separate, family always come first’.

Incidentally, that (July 14) was Ajit Pawar’s first meeting -- after he and his supporters had triggered a political earthquake - deserting the 83-year-old Sharad Pawar, publicly made a preposterous suggestion to become a NCP ‘marg-darshak’ (retire), and joined the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party regime as a second Deputy CM along with 9 ministers on July 2.

Mumbai, July 16 (IANS) In a move that jolted political circles in Maharashtra, the entire breakaway faction of the Nationalist Congress Party made a surprise visit to NCP founder-President Sharad Pawar here on Sunday afternoon.

They included Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Working President Praful Patel, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, state President Sunil Tatkare, the breakaway faction Ministers and other senior leaders.

After the meeting, Patel said they all have the highest regards for Sharad Pawar as he is their beacon and their mentor.

"We met him to seek his blessings and to work and keep the party united. He listened to us patiently but did not react," said Patel.

Sunday's impromptu 30-minute rendezvous comes two days after Ajit Pawar dropped in to meet his aunt (Sharad Pawar's wife) Pratibha Pawar, who underwent a hand surgery on Friday.

After the meeting - when he also interacted with uncle Sharad Pawar and cousin Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar justified that "politics aside, family always come first". He also said the he was heeding to a call of his conscience and rushed to meet his ailing aunt.

Sunday's meeting raised quite a few political eyebrows,coming on the eve of the 3-week-long Maharashtra legislature Monsoon Session starting here from July 17.

This was the breakaway group's first direct meeting with Pawar Sr. - two weeks after Ajit Pawar split the NCP and joined the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party government as a second Deputy CM on July 2.

Those who were present to meet Sharad Pawar at the Y.B. Chavan Centre also included Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal, Ministers Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse-Patil, Dhananjay Munde, Aditi Tatkare, and other leaders.

Nashik, July 15 (IANS) Breakaway Nationalist Congress Party leader Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar declared that “family is priority” after he visited the Mumbai residence of his uncle and NCP President Sharad Pawar.

Ajit Pawar rushed to Pawar Sr.’s home in Silver Oaks  late on Friday, after learning that his aunt, Pratibha Sharad Pawar had undergone a surgery in her hand in a private hospital.

“Politics is separate… Family always comes first. I heeded the call of my conscience and went to enquire after the health of my aunt,” said Ajit Pawar on Saturday.

This was his first visit to Sharad Pawar 15 days after he split the NCP and joined the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party government as a second Deputy CM, sparking great interest in political circles.

He said that he met his uncle and cousin Supriya Sule, MP from Baramati in a very cordial atmosphere, but did not elaborate.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said late Friday night that Ajit Pawar had gone to meet his family, scotching all political rumours.

It may be recalled that Pratibha Pawar underwent a surgical procedure after which her condition was ‘stable’, according to a NCP leader.

Revered as ‘Kaki’ (Aunt) by the party leaders and activists, Pratibha is the daughter of the late Indian test cricketer Sadashiv Shinde, and got married to Sharad Pawar in 1967.

However, she has always remained in the shadows though occasionally she stepped out to stand beside him, as she did in May, when her husband had quit as the NCP President.

As revealed by Pawar himself, she had successfully weaned back their nephew Ajit Pawar after he suddenly joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Devendra Fadnavis in November 2019 to take oath as CM and Deputy CM respectively, but the two-men regime fell in barely 80 hours.

New Delhi, July 5 (IANS) Days after splitting the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Ajit Pawar-led faction on Wednesday approached the Election Commission of India, staking claim on the party and the party's clock symbol.

According to sources, Ajit Pawar, who split the NCP and took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra in BJP-Eknath Shinde government, has approached the poll panel.

The source said that EC is in receipt of a petition under para 15 of the Symbols Order, 1968 by Ajit Pawar on June 30 followed by 40 odd affidavits of MPs/MLAs/MLCs dated 30th June (received in Commission on 5th July) and a resolution dated NIL unanimously electing Ajit Pawar as the President of NCP.

The source said that the Commission is also in receipt of an email dated July 3, from Jayant R. Patil, President, Maharashtra State NCP, filing caveat. Patil is from the NCP supremo Sharad Pawar's camp.

The source said that the Commission is also in receipt of a letter dated July 3 from Patil informing that disqualification proceeding has been filed before the competent authority for disqualification of nine members of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

The source said that action will be taken by the Commission as per extant legal framework.

Ajit Pawar along with eight MLAs have split the party after taking oath as ministers in the Maharashtra government.

On Wednesday, both the camps of Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar are holding separate meetings to show their power in the state.

Mumbai, July 5 (IANS) Once Nationalist Congress Party founder-President Sharad Pawar steps into the field, the rebels who broke away on Sunday won’t know what has hit them, party state chief Jayant Patil warned on Wednesday.

“A small trailer of this was already shown to the people of the state earlier this week in Kolhapur and Pune… They are forgetting that the ordinary workers of the NCP are still with Saheb. Whatever Pawar Saheb says is the final word for us,” he said.

Slamming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Patil said that it is indulging in the politics of stealing and splitting parties in the state and elsewhere for their own benefit.

“When they don’t like the questions or issues we raise, then they rob us and break us. First they did it with the Shiv Sena (of ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray), now it's happening to the NCP,” he said.

Training guns on the rebels led by Pawar's nephen Ajit Pawar who have quit the NCP to join the ruling Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party government, Patil demanded how they could join hands with those who had insulted icons like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and others.

“First you had criticised them for abusing these great personalities. But now you have joined those very people, so how will you face the masses…” he asked.

Referring to the BJP for lampooning the Maha Vikas Aghadi government of Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena as an ‘autorickshaw’ government, Patil quipped that since the (MVA) three-wheeler was running very well, now even they are forced to sit in an ‘autorickshaw’ to run their regime properly (with Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction joining the government).

“For 25 years, Pawar Saheb has grappled with all challenges, he fought when the NCP was sought to be broken many times in the past. We feel bad for all those who grew with the party and have left us now,” he said.

He contended that of the claimed 40 MLAs who have joined Ajit Pawar, “many are calling up Pawar Saheb and say they want to return soon, they are at sea without Pawar”, and ditto is the situation with the Shiv Sena MLAs who left with Eknath Shinde, who want to return to the Shiv Sena-UBT.

Referring to Ajit Pawar finger-pointing that he (Patil) had been the state NCP President for over five years, Patil said that if he had expressed his desire privately, “I would have immediately stepped down in his favour”.

Raising the historic slogan of ‘Sarfaroshi ki Tamanna ab hamare dil me hain, Dekhna hai zor kitna bazu-e-qatil me hain’, Patil asked the enthusiastic gathering to take an oath.

The assembly took the oath in the name of god and under the leadership and Presidentship of Sharad Pawar, all would work the NCP till their last breath, they would not support the deserters, will not do anything that will sully Pawar Saheb’s ideology and remain loyal to him and the party for their entire life.

Mumbai, June 10 (IANS) With less than a year remaining for the Lok Sabha elections, and ahead of upcoming polls in various states, Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar has overhauled the party, naming senior leader Praful Patel and his daughter Supriya Sule (Pawar) as the new Working Presidents.

He made the important declaration as the party enters the Silver Jubilee year, at a function held in Delhi, with the top brass in attendance.

The developments on Saturday came exactly 35 days after Pawar had vigorously stirred the NCP cauldron with his 'resignation drama' and then bowed before the party's wishes to remain as the party supremo on May 6.

Cracking the whip as he had promised last month, Pawar has effected a major reshuffle in the party's organisation at the top levels, starting with the General Secretaries (GS).

Patel, Rajya Sabha MP, shall be in-charge of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Goa and the upper house of parliament, besides being the Chairman of Economic Affairs.

Sule, Lok Sabha MP from Baramati, shall also be in-charge of Maharashtra, Punjab and Haryana, women, youth, students and the lower house of parliament, besides being Chairperson of Central Election Authority.

P.P. Mohammed Faizal, MP and GS will look after Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Kerala, the Overseas India and Foreign Affairs departments.

GS Sunil Tatkare, MP, will handle Odisha and West Bengal , plus national committee, sessions and conferences, Election Commission, Minority Department, Farmers Cell.

GS Dr. Yoganand Shastri is entrusted with organisations, Seva Dal and also President of Delhi NCP.

Another GS K.K. Sharma will look after Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, plus Panchayati Raj Department in the party.

GS Narendra Verma shall oversee the party work in all the seven northeastern states, media and IT departments.

GS Dr. Jitendra Awhad, MLA in Maharashtra is given the responsibility of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Jammu & Kashmir, plus Labour, SC/SC/OBC, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs departments in the party.

Permanent Secretary S.R. Kohli is entrusted with press, publicity, administration, assist Patel and Sule, and the treasurer in accounts and coordinate with the Election Commission.

Pawar has instructed all the national general secretaries to consult the new National Working Presidents for major policy decisions and keep him in the loop on various activities regularly.

To questions on why his nephew Ajit Pawar is not given any additional assignments, Pawar Sr. said that he (Ajit) is already have a crucial responsibility as the Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

On his part, Ajit Pawar made it clear that "he is not sulking", and heartily congratulated all the new appointees, wishing them the best in their endeavours to build and fortify the party.

State NCP President Jayant Patil has congratulated all the new appointees including Patel and Sule, saying that the party will grow stronger and now all will get down to work ahead of the elections as the party enters its 25th year.

NCP National Spokesperson Clyde Crasto and Chief Spokesperson Mahesh Tapase have hailed the appointments of Patel and Sule to the high posts and said they will prove beneficial to the party.

Tapase added how Sule has been particularly instrumental in bringing the youth and new voters to the party fold which will be a boost in the upcoming elections.

NCP sources don't rule out some more changes in the coming days at various levels and in different state units as the clock ticks away furiously towards the elections now.

Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Two top opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders, Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut, have received fresh death threats from unknown persons, here on Friday.

Pawar has been warned via a Twitter message threatening that he will meet the same fate as Dr. Narendra Dabholkar (the rationalist who was shot dead in Pune in August 2013), sending shockwaves in the political circles.

In a telephonic threat issued through Sunil Raut, MLA, his brother, Sanjay Raut, MP has been served an ultimatum to stop his 'morning loudspeakers' within a month failing which he would be "sprayed with bullets".

Taking strong cognisance, NCP MP Supriya Sule went to meet Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar and lodged a complaint seeking strict action in the matter, while Raut has also informed the police on the threats they have received.

An agitated Sule warned that if anything happens to her father, "then the state home department (headed by Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis) shall be held responsible for it".

She also drew the attention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the development even as many NCP leaders slammed the government and demanded immediate action.

Both Sharad Pawar and Sanjay Raut are considered the chief architects of the Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena (UBT) MVA alliance which ruled for over 30 months till the former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was toppled in June 2022.

Bharatiya Janata Party state President Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the threat to Pawar is a matter of concern and urged the police to take urgent action in the matter.

Mumbai, May 5 (IANS) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar on Friday announced that he will not step down as the party chief, ending four days of turmoil that had gripped the organisation since May 2.

Addressing a crowded media conference, Pawar, 83, said that his decision had evoked strong sentiments among the people, party workers, office-bearers and his colleagues were disheartened to hear it.

"I am overwhelmed with the love, trust and faith showered on me. Considering the appeals made by all of you and honouring the decision of the Committee constituted by the party, I am withdrawing my decision to retire," said Pawar amid a thunderous round of applause.

The NCP supremo's announcement came hours after the committee rejected his resignation and also appealed to him to continue in the same post, and conveyed it to him on Friday afternoon.

Mumbai, May 5 (IANS) The NCP on Friday unanimously rejected the resignation of the party's national President Sharad Pawar and requested him to continue in his post.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the special panel set up by Pawar to name his successor after his dramatic announcement on Tuesday to step down.

The panel's decision on the two resolutions -- rejecting the resignation and urging him to continue as party chief -- will be conveyed to Pawar for his final call in the matter.

Top NCP leaders like Praful Patel and Ajit Pawar will make the official announcement on the developments later this afternoon.

Meanwhile, an emotional NCP activist attempted to commit suicide outside the party office but was prevented by the thousands of other workers and the police.

Mumbai, May 2 (IANS) Barely six hours after his move to step down as party chief kicked up a dust storm, Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday agreed to do a 'rethink' and announce his final decision in the next few days, his nephew Ajit Pawar said here.

"We all leaders have met him and convinced him on the issue. Pawar Saheb has agreed to re-consider. Let's give him 2-3 days to make his decision," Ajit Pawar told mediapersons.

Apparently, annoyed by the spate of protests after his move to quit, Pawar, 83, told his senior leaders that "if they are stubborn, I am even more adamant".

He also frowned at the agitations, sit-in protests, indefinite hunger strikes, resignations of various office-bearers from across the state, people writing letters in blood, etc.

Ajit Pawar said that the party work will continue as usual and nobody's resignation shall be accepted, putting the lid on the political storm that rocked national politics since noon on Tuesday.

Sharad Pawar and other leaders again appealed to all their party workers sitting near the Y.B. Chavan Auditorium and other parts of the state to call off all their protests and go home peacefully.