NCP Crisis Highlights: Sharad Pawar expels S R Kohli, appoints Sonia Doohan as Delhi NCP chief

Shiv Sena defection case makes Ajit Pawar's move legally complicated

The induction of NCP leader Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs in the Maharashtra cabinet is fraught with legal complications.

Ajit and his group, which claimed the support of about 40 MLAs, could face disqualification under the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection law) of the Constitution for anti-party activities, as the NCP controlled by Sharad Pawar has reportedly filed such a plea before the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker.

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Sharad Pawar appoints Sonia Doohan as Delhi NCP chief

Sharad Pawar expels S R Kohli from NCP

Several NCP workers extend support to Sharad Pawar at party's Mumbai office

A day after NCP stalwart Ajit Pawar joined the Maharashtra government as deputy chief minister with some senior leaders, several workers of the party visited its south Mumbai office and extended their support to patriarch Sharad Pawar.

Ajit Pawar, however, has asked his colleagues to refrain from making any public statements.

Several NCP leaders and workers from districts and tehsils neighbouring Mumbai rushed to the party office to extend their support to the Pawar senior. (PTI)

Ajit Pawar supporting development, state cabinet expansion soon, says CM Shinde

Maharashtra Cong to hold meeting on staking claim to LoP post on Tuesday

The Maharashtra Congress has convened a meeting of its legislators on Tuesday where the issue of staking a claim to the post of the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly may come up for discussion, a party leader said.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary HK Patil will attend the meeting. (PTI)

'Triple engines powered by washing machines': KTR on Ajit joining NDA

In a veiled dig at BJP over the NCP MLAs led by Ajit Pawar joining the Maharashtra government, the ruling BRS's leader in Telangana K T Rama Rao on Monday said double engines are outdated with triple engines coming in.

"Apparently double engines are outdated. Now it’s the turn of triple engines powered by washing machines. #MaharashtraPolitics," Rama Rao, son of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, tweeted.

Party will function very well, says Ajit Pawar amid political drama

Modi committed 'dacoity' in Maharashtra, says Lalu on Ajit's switch to NDA

Launching a scathing attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the rift in the NCP and Ajit Pawar joining the NDA government in Maharashtra, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said that the prime minister had committed "dacoity" in the western state.

"This function is taking place at a time when Nitish, I and various leaders have come together to combat assaults on democracy by the dispensation headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said.

"Modi has been committing dacoities across the nation, as you have seen in Maharashtra from where the country’s most senior leader had come to attend our opposition meet," said the RJD supremo who did not refer to NCP chief Sharad Pawar by name. (PTI)

Oppn almost finished in Maharashtra, says MP CM after Ajit's switch

The political developments in Maharashtra have almost finished the opposition in that state, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Monday.

"It is the result of one's own deeds and acts. The opposition is almost over in Maharashtra. After Shiv Sena, the NCP too has gone and the country has stood behind Modi ji. Let's see what happens at other places," Chouhan told reporters. (PTI)

Two factions of NCP led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit call parallel meetings on Wednesday

We have given letter to Speaker to disqualify Jayant Patil and Jitendra Awhad: Ajit Pawar

The party and the symbol is with us: Ajit Pawar

Praful Patel appoints Ajit Pawar as NCP Legislature Party leader

Sunil Tatkare the new state president of NCP, announces Praful Patel

Sharad Pawar expels Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare from NCP for 'anti-party activities'

Shishir Shinde, who dug up Wankhede pitch, joins NDA govt

Firebrand leader Shishir Shinde, who had quit the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) two weeks back, joined the Eknath Shinde-led government on Monday, a day after senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar switched sides to the NDA.

NCP 'drama' could not have unfolded without Sharad Pawar's knowledge, says MNS chief Raj Thackeray

Supriya Sule calls for disqualification of Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare

NCP Working President Supriya Sule on Monday penned a letter to the partychief Sharad Pawar, demanding the disqualification of MPs Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare for attending the swearing-in ceremonies of NCP rebels led by Ajit Pawar.

Ajit Pawar meets Fadnavis to discuss portfolio allocation

A day after joining the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and state minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Monday went to meet Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis to discuss allocation of portfolios in the cabinet, sources said.

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Breaking political parties has become 'new normal' in Indian politics, says T S Singh Deo on Ajit's switch

Sharad Pawar says many leaders from Ajit's camp 'called' him

NCP chief Sharad Pawar said, "Many from there (Ajit Pawar) camp called me and said that their ideology is not different from that of the NCP and they will take a final call in the next few days."

Sharad Pawar-led NCP expels two leaders who were present in swearing-in ceremony.

Sharad Pawar has rejected speculation that Ajit Pawar's rebellion has his blessings.

Sharad Pawar said he has launched statewide tour to strengthen NCP and boost party workers unfazed by action of a few leaders.

First attack corrupt and then embrace them: Kapil Sibal's dig at BJP after Ajit Pawar joins Maharashtra government

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal took a swipe at the BJP on Monday over NCP leader Ajit Pawar and eight others inducted into the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government, saying "first attack the corrupt and then embrace" them.

Ajit Pawar pulled off a stunning revolt in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Sunday, triggering a vertical split, and joined hands with the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in Maharashtra to become the deputy chief minister.

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Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin spoke to NCP President Sharad Pawar today and extended his support to him.

Praful Patel's photo frame removed from Nationalist Student Congress office

"We removed Praful Patel's photo frame and all other leaders who left NCP since they are not part of the NCP family anymore...," said NCP student wing national president Sonia Doohan.

BJP is blackmailing all corrupt Opposition leaders to join hands with it, says RJD.

Ajit Pawar, Bhujbal meet Fadnavis to discuss allocation of portfolios

A day after joining the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and state minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Monday went to meet Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis to discuss allocation of portfolios in the cabinet, sources said.

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has reached the residence of Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis where Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and other NCP leaders are present.

NCP leaders had hint of BJP's intention to break party, but were unaware of Ajit Pawar's move: Rohit Pawar

Describing the chain of events within the NCP and Maharashtra politics as an “emotional moment”, NCP MLA Rohit Pawar said the party leaders were aware of BJP’s “intentions” but were clueless about the movements of Ajit Pawar.

Rohit (37), who is an MLA from Karjat-Jamkhed seat in Ahmednagar district, is the nephew of Ajit Pawar and grandnephew of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar.

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Newly inducted Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal have reached the residence of Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai.

Will give rebels a fair chance to come back, says NCP's Jayant Patil

NCP's Maharashtra president Jayant Patil said, "We have sent a petition to the Assembly Speaker last night. We requested him to hear us. Our party's strength in the Assembly is 53, of which ninehave defected, the rest all are with us. We will give them a fair chance to come back but will take action against those who do not come back."

Some of our people fell prey to BJP's tactics... says Sharad Pawar after Ajit Pawar rebels

Reacting to Ajit Pawar's switch, Sharad Pawar said, "Some of our people fell prey to BJP's tactics to break other parties."

Pawar added that we need to fight forces creating communal divide.

Rift being created in the name of caste, religion by some groups, says Sharad Pawar at Chavan's Samadhi in Karad

Today, in Maharashtra and the country, a rift is being created between the society in the name of caste and religion by some groups, saysNCP President Sharad Pawar atformer Maharashtra CM Yashwantrao Chavan's Samadhi in Karad.

Earlier today, Sharad Pawar and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan paid floral tribute to former Maharashtra CM Yashwantrao Chavan in Karad, Maharashtra.

NCP leaders had hint of BJP's 'intention' to break party, but were unaware of Ajit Pawar's move: Rohit Pawar

NCP MLA Rohit Pawar, the grandnephew of party chief Sharad Pawar, on Monday claimed senior leaders had an inkling of BJP's "intention" to break the party, but were clueless about Ajit Pawar's swift move to join hands with the ruling alliance.

Speaking to reporters in Maharashtra's Pune city, Rohit Pawar said he is firmly with NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

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NCP chief Sharad Pawar reaches Yashwantrao Chavan Samadhi in Karad, Maharashtra, to pay tributes.

Congress to hold meeting tomorrow on Leader of the Opposition in Assembly, says Balasaheb Thorat

Maharashtra Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat said that Leader of the Opposition will be from the party which has the maximum number of MLAs. "Congress has maximum numbers. We will hold a meeting tomorrow on the current political situation in the state," he said.

Watch | Ajit Pawar meets his supporters in Mumbai

NCP leader Praful Patel said, "We are the NCP and that is what we are doing. We will decide now if I have to go to Delhi. We have not discussed anything about Delhi, we have only discussed about the formation of our government in Maharashtra."

Maharashtra Speaker confirms receiving NCP letter to disqualify 9 MLAs

Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar confirmed that he has received a letter from MLA Jayant Patil seeking disqualification of nine MLAs. "I will study it and take an appropriate decision," saidSpeaker Rahul Narwekar.

Jitendra Awhad submits disqualification petition of Ajit Pawar, 8 others to Speaker

A day after NCP leader Ajit Pawar joined the Maharashtra government, newly appointed NCP's Leader of Opposition Jitendra Awhad submitted disqualification petition of nine legislators, who took ministerial oath on Sunday to join the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government.

Awhad handed over the disqualification petition to Speaker Rahul Narvekar.

'Can never fight with my brother', says Supriya Sule after Ajit Pawar's switch

Hours after NCP leader Ajit Pawar took oath as deputy chief minister in the Eknath Shinde government, the party's working president and his cousin Supriya Sule said she can never fight with her elder brother and will always love him as a sister.

She added that the developments in the party will not impact the Opposition's unity.

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Posters put up outside Shiv Sena (UBT) office in Mumbai, urging Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray to come together.

Meanwhile, media reports suggest that a large number of MLAs have gathered outside Ajit Pawar's residence.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar reaches Satara.

NCP MLA Rohit Pawar, grandnephew of party chief Sharad Pawar, claims senior leaders had inkling of BJP's 'intention' to break party, but were clueless about Ajit Pawar's swift move to join hands with ruling alliance.

Ajit Pawar’s revolt shows BJP bid to end political isolation in Maharashtra

Ajit Pawar’s open revolt against NCP patriarch and uncle Sharad Pawar is the culmination of a determined bid by the BJP to end its political isolation in Maharashtra after splitting up with its oldest ally the Shiv Sena in October 2019 and to minimise potential electoral losses in the state which sends second highest contingent of MPs to the Lok Sabha.

Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats and in the 2019 general elections, BJP in alliance with the undivided Shiv Sena won 42 seats, a scorecard that BJP would have found difficult to repeat against the Congress-NCP and Shiv Sena (UBT) alliance.

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Meanwhile, sources told DH that the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis-Ajit Pawar government is planning a Cabinet expansion ahead of the Monsoon Session of Maharashtra Legislature.

What Raut said on posters put up in Dadar demanding MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray to unite

On posters put up in Dadar demanding MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray to unite, Uddhav Thackeray faction leader and MP Sanjay Raut, said "The people of Maharashtra are with us, and they will always stay with us. People are going to support us."

Raut added that all this has been done (by the BJP) to save the government.

On Maharashtra political situation, NCP Pune president Prashant Jagtap said, "After what Ajit Pawar did yesterday, all NCP supporters have decided to stay with Sharad Pawar and we will keep supporting him. The supporters of NCP will stand with Pawar Saheb and will fight against BJP and PM Modi unitedly."

Ajit Pawar will become the Chief Minister once Eknath Shinde is disqualified, says Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut.

Moved disqualification petition against Ajit Pawar, 8 others: Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil

Maharashtra NCP president Jayant Patil on Sunday said his party has moved a disqualification petition against Ajit Pawar and eight others who took oath as ministers in the Eknath Shinde-led state government.

Addressing a press conference late Sunday, Patil said the disqualification petition has been sent to Speaker Rahul Narvekar.(PTI)

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will seek Ajit Pawar's disqualification from the Maharashtra Assembly today over his switch to the Eknath Shinde-led state government, plunging the party into a crisis.

Praful Patel seals the deal?

Former Maharashtra Civil Aviation Minister and NCP’s Working President Praful Patel has played a key role in sealing Ajit Pawar’s deal with the BJP.

Patel has been associated with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar since the early nineties and had always wished to see the latter as the Prime Minister.

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NCP chief Sharad Pawar leaves from his residence for Karad.

Everyone will follow the NCP model soon, says AIADMK spokesperson

Disrobing of democracy continues in Maharashtra: Nana Patole

As Ajit Pawar walked to the BJP-led ruling camp, Maharashtra Congress President and former Speaker Nana Patole said that the “disrobing of democracy” continues in Maharashtra.

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Developments in NCP won't impact Opposition unity: Supriya Sule on Ajit Pawar's rebellion

Hours after NCP leader Ajit Pawar took oath as deputy chief minister in the Eknath Shinde government, party's working president and his cousin Supriya Sule on Sunday said the developments in the party will not impact the Opposition's unity.

Addressing a press conference late night in Mumbai, Sule said her father and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar's stature will rise further.

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DH Toon | Triple-engine government for Maharashtra

Maharashtra Congress calls meet of legislators on July 4 after Ajit Pawar's jump to NDA

The Maharashtra Congress has convened a meeting of its legislators on Tuesday in view of the developments in the state that saw a split in the Nationalist Congress Party and Ajit Pawar being inducted as deputy chief minister in the Eknath Shinde government.

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Ajit Pawar doesn't have support of majority of MLAs: NCP

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Sunday night said Ajit Pawar, who has joined the Eknath Shinde-led government as Deputy Chief Minister with some leaders, doesn't have the support of 36 MLAs as being claimed.

NCP national spokesperson Clyde Crasto also claimed that the party working president Supriya Sule and state unit chief Jayant Patil are contacting all the 53 MLAs and the picture will become clearer by Monday.(PTI)

Ajit Pawar joins NDA in Maharashtra: Key takeaways

The unexpected riftin the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) set off a mini earthquake in not only Maharashtra politics but also sent aftershocks at a national level. Here are some key takeaways from Sunday's development:

Questions over opposition unity:Ajit Pawar leaving his uncle and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar high and dryto join the Eknath Shinde-led governmenthas severely dented the opposition unity move of 15 parties, which took tentative steps with a meeting in Patna last month.

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NCP leader Jitendra Awhad reaches Maharashtra Speaker's office to hand over his appointment letter.

On Sunday, NCP appointed Jitendra Awhad as the chief whip to the Assembly Speaker after party leader Ajit Pawar sided with Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government while still being in the party.

NCP split: RJD says leaders succumbed to pressure of central agencies

The RJD on Sunday claimed that nine NCP legislators joined the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government succumbing to the pressure of central probe agencies, and said this is a "living example" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's politics and the BJP's priority.

A delegation of Sharad Pawar-led NCP expected to meet Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar