Maharashtra Politics Highlights: MLA Devendra Bhuyar from Sharad Pawar faction joins Ajit Pawar

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The voices of dissent are getting louder and clear in the Shinde camp as NCP’s Ajit Pawar faction. Shinde camp was reported to be holding a meeting of all its prominent leaders at the CM's official bungalow Varsha apparently to decide on the distribution of portfolios. Shinde camp was reported to be holding a meeting of all its prominent leaders at the CM's official bungalow Varsha apparently to decide on the distribution of portfolios.

The battle between Ajit Pawar’s separated faction and Sharad PAwar’s NCP took a suprising turn when earlier today an affidavit submitted to the Election Commission by the Ajit Pawar camp stated that a resolution electing Ajit Pawar as NCP's national president was signed by an “overwhelming majority” of MLAs as well as members of the organisational wing.

ECI received affidavits from 40 Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), and Members of Legislative Council (MLCs). These documents were officially received by the commission on July 5, 2023. ECI also received a caveat from Jayant R Patil, president of Sharad Pawar’s Maharashtra NCP unit. “The commission has also been informed, through a letter dated July 3, 2023, from Jayant R. Patil, that a disqualification proceeding has been initiated against nine members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

Countering Ajit Pawar's swipes at NCP chief Sharad Pawar over his age, NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad on said Sharad Pawar was not going to stop just because some people were asking him to do so. Ajit Pawar, who has rebelled against his uncle, asked in his speech at his faction's meeting in the morning when would Sharad Pawar, who is 82 years old, "going to stop". Awhad, who is among the MLAs in Sharad Pawar's camp, said at a press conference that an able son always encourages his father to remain active. "But here you people are asking him to sit at home. All we want to say is, he will not sit at home," he said.

NCP’s working president, Supriya Sule hit back at her rebel cousin Ajit Pawar, saying she would not tolerate a single word spoken against her father, Sharad Pawar.Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar split up on July 2 and held separate meetings today in Mumbai in a show strength.Supriya Sule in her address to Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction meeting said, One can criticise me or any other person, but I will not tolerate that against my father....he is more than a father for the party workers

Uddhav Thackeray faction leader Sanjay Raut said, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde may be replaced in the coming days. After NCP leader Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs joined the National Democratic Alliance government there is a possibility that Maharashtra CM may change in coming days, said Raut.Taking jibes at the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis Government, he said there are two deputy CMs and even the chief minister is not full but "doubtful"."There is a phrase. One full and two half," he said in a lighter vein.

BJP has a target to win 350 seats in Lok Sabha elections, Maharashtra’s 48 seats to Lok Sabha are crucial for BJP, said Shiv Sena MLA Gajanan Kirtikar. With NCP coming on board, the target of winning 40-42 LS seats from Maharashtra can be achieved. After winning Lok Sabha (elections), the Assembly (polls) can be won easily, the Mumbai North West MP said.

Entry of Ajit Pawar faction in Maharashtra cabinet has hurt prospects of ministerial aspirants from BJP and Shiv Sena said Shiv Sena MP Gajanan Kirtikar. This has left many MLAs upset, he said. "The scope of ministerial aspirants from BJP and Shiv Sena minimised after NCP joined the government. This has upset some MLAs. The chief minister is aware of this," Kirtikar, who shifted his loyalties to CM Shinde a few months ago

--The entire country is watching us today and this meeting is historic for NCP

--We have to keep marching ahead despite the hurdles in our way

--We don't have hunger for power and we will keep working for the people

--Ajit Pawar should have spoken to me if he had any problems. If he had something on his mind he could have approached me

--Bharatiya Janata Party called the NCP corrupt. So, why have you (BJP) allied with the NCP now? Whatever happened to Uddhav Thackeray has been repeated

--We weren't taken into confidence by the MLAs who decided to split. Ajit Pawar faction has not followed any procedure

--The party symbol is with us, it is not going anywhere. The people and party workers who brought us to power are with us

In all the party meetings that are happening today, my portrait is there, says NCP’s Sharad Pawar.They know that nothing can happen without me,said NCP supremo Sharad Pawar while addressing party workers earlier in the day.