NCP chief Sharad Pawar addressed a press conference on Saturday with Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Bal Thackeray in Mumbai due to BJP – NCP alliance government formation with Sharad Pawar’s Nephew Ajit Pawar, who was sworn as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Sharad Pawar said, “Actions will be taken against Ajit for lending support to BJP for government formation in Maharashtra”. He also said, “NCP will elect its new Legislative Assembly Party Leader today here at 4 PM.”
Sharad Pawar said his nephew’s action comes under ‘indiscipline’ and “his decision is against the values of the NCP.” He further said, “Actions will be taken against him as per the procedure. I don’t know if he (Ajit Pawar) has done this fearing investigating agencies. As per my source, 10-11 MLAs were there in Raj Bhavan and out of those, three are already here sitting with me.”
He said BJP – NCP will fail the floor test. “All the MLAs who are going must know that there is an anti-defection law and the possibility of them losing their assembly membership is high.”
He recalled the same incident happening with him, “I faced a similar situation in the 80s. Only six legislators were left with me. In the next election, I managed to ensure the defeat of all those who left me. We will form the government. We have the numbers to form the government. Not aware as to what happened. Till yesterday, we were together. We never expected such behavior from our colleagues.”
Devendra Fadnavis for the second consecutive time took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra while NCP’s Ajit Pawar took the oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The oath was administered by the Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhawan on Saturday at 8 AM.
Sharad Pawar came to know about the alliance on Saturday morning and was confused with the tables turned. He said, “I came to know at 7 am today about Ajit Pawar. I did not know before that. I will hold a press conference at some time. Uddhav too will address the media. I will speak elaborately then.”
Sharad Pawar tweeted that it is Ajit Pawar’s ‘personal’ decision and we do not endorse such actions:
Ajit Pawar's decision to support the BJP to form the Maharashtra Government is his personal decision and not that of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
We place on record that we do not support or endorse this decision of his.— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) November 23, 2019