Sharad Pawar

Patel did not disclose the reason for the sudden move, which comes three weeks after the collapse of the government in Maharashtra.

"The newly-formed government in Maharashtra may fall in the next six months, hence all should be ready for mid-term polls," an NCP leader, who attended the meeting, quoted Pawar as saying.

On the second day in a row, Shiv Sena cadres staged protests against the dissidents in various parts of the state, including Mumbai and Pune.

The Sharad Pawar-led party, which shares power with Sena and Congress in the state, also asked the Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to find out the source of "black money" involved.

Addressing media, the NCP chief exuded confidence that the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress coalition government would survive despite rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde claiming support of over 40 MLAs

Rebel leader Eknath Shinde, who has claimed to be a staunch Shiv Sainik, would need at least 36 MLAs to go along with him if he wants to split the Shiv Sena without attracting disqualification under the anti-defection law. As per the rules, if the rebel group wants to merge with BJP, at least 37 MLAs (two-thirds of Shiv Sena’s 55) have to come together to ensure they do not face disqualification. If that happens, the MVA government will fall.

The NCP chief accused the BJP of planning to topple the MVA government and said that he had full faith in chief minister Uddhav Thackeray while assuring that the ruling alliance will find a solution to the crisis.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is unlikely to participate in the meeting due to prior engagements.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has spoken with Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee, Mallikarjun Kharge, Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati, Shibu Soren Naveen Patnaik, Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and Nitish Kumar for building a consensus on a presidential candidate

The issue came up for discussion after Pawar met Maharashtra NCP ministers here on Monday.

Following her direction, Kharge, who is Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, called on NCP chief Sharad Pawar here to discuss the issue.

Sharad Pawar also said he not come across an instance of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducting raids on those part of the central government, but action was being taken against those in opposition.

Hundreds of MSRTC workers, on April 8, held massive protests outside NCP Chief Sharad Pawar’s residence in Mumbai and accused him of not listening to their plight.

The AAP’s governance in Delhi helped it in Punjab as the common people living in the national capital have accepted the Kejriwal-led party, the NCP chief noted.

Ratnakar Shetty, the former BCCI stalwart, said at his book launch that women’s cricket wouldn’t be what it is now without Sharad Pawar.

Sharad Pawar also added that there is no cause for concern and he is following the treatment suggested by his doctor.

Besides Sharad Pawar, senior leaders and parliament members Praful Patel, Supriya Sule, Sunil Tatkare and Fauzia Khan have been named as star campaigners for the assembly elections.

Sharad Pawar also said 13 members of the Legislative Assembly in Uttar Pradesh will be joining the Samajwadi Party.

NCP leader Praful Patel, Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut are talking with local Congress leaders there, Sharad Pawar told reporters.

Speaking during an event organised by Marathi daily ‘Loksatta’, Pawar said barring him, there was no other minister in the erstwhile UPA government who could have a dialogue with Modi as he used to constantly attack the Manmohan Singh dispensation.