NCP Mutiny: Ajit, Sharad Pawar Issue Whip for MLAs

The news of the NCP mutiny has jolted Maharashtra’s politics even as Ajit Pawar looks to take over the reins of his party from Sharad Pawar. The race for power is on between the two NCP leaders as they are both holding key party meetings separately and have asked all their MLAs to be present, as per PTI. The two leaders have effectively asked their MLAs to choose a side, which will be key in determining who stays in power, and whether Ajit Pawar’s new partnership with BJP-Shiv Sena lasts or not.
The NCP mutiny began after Sharad Pawar named his daughter Supriya Sule as the next party chief instead of Ajit Pawar. While the latter maintained that he had no qualms against this decision, he announced a few days ago that he and eight NCP MLAs had made an alliance with BJP and Shiv Sena and took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister, sharing that position with Devendra Fadnavis. Sharad Pawar has approached the judiciary to have Ajit Pawar disqualified from the party, but the latter claims that he holds the support of about 40 MLAs, hinting that he could assume the power and rights of his party just like Eknath Shinde did with Shiv Sena. Further developments on the NCP mutiny are expected soon.

Images source: PTI