In open letter, Ajit calls himself NCP chief, skips uncle's mention

Mumbai: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday issued a public statement in which he described himself as the national president of the Nationalist Congress Party. The statement was issued on the occasion of his completing 100 days in the DCM. In the letter, he called Maharashtra’s first chief minister late Yashwantrao Chavan as his inspiration, but avoided mentioning his uncle Sharad Pawar.

Describing himself as the national president of the NCP, Ajit said that his commitment is towards safeguarding the interests of the farmers, youth, women and other social groups. He claimed that he joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government in the state to move on the same path.

Justifying his moves to break off from the NCP founded by his uncle Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar said that at various times in the state’s political history, many big leaders have made critical decisions depending on the prevalent political and social situation. “In the political history of Maharashtra, several top leaders have taken a different political stand. Every political leader takes a stand depending on the prevailing political and social situation. NCP, under my leadership, took a similar position on July 2, 2023, and joined the state government,” he said.

In his open statement, Ajit said the Maharashtra government was committed to the economic empowerment of all sections of the society, and added that the NCP would work vigorously to achieve the goal.

The Election Commission is currently hearing the matter related to the split within the NCP.  The Ajit and Sharad Pawar factions have claimed that there was no split in the party, but both factions have also staked their claim on the party’s name and election symbol.

Both factions have also filed disqualification petitions against party MLAs before the state assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice on a petition filed by the Sharad Pawar faction, seeking a direction to the Speaker to expeditiously decide on the petitions seeking disqualification of Ajit Pawar and seven other MLAs who took oath as ministers in the Eknath Shinde government.