The rival factions of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) held separate meetings in Mumbai on Wednesday as an apparent show of strength.
The meeting by the Ajit Pawar faction was held at Mumbai Education Trust (MET) in Bandra while his uncle Sharad Pawar's group held their meeting at the YB Chavan Centre in south Mumbai.
Prior to the meeting, Jitendra Awhad, who serves as the chief whip for the Sharad Pawar faction, asked party lawmakers, parliamentarians and office bearers from across the state to attend the meeting. Anil Patil named as chief whip for Ajit Pawar's group and likewise actively propagated the meeting.
According to media reports, Ajit Pawar’s meeting was attended by at least 32 lawmakers while his uncle’s meeting was attended by 16 lawmakers.
However, during the meeting Ajit Pawar claimed to have wider support.
“All the lawmakers are in touch with me. Even those who are in another meeting,” he stated.
In his speech, Ajit Pawar also took a swipe at his uncle Sharad, by saying that in 2017, the NCP made an attempt to join hands with the BJP but Sharad remained with Shiv Sena Party.
“Then the members of NCP said that they will not go with Shiv Sena since its a communal party. In 2019, we were asked to join hands with Shiv Sena. Earlier (in 2017), they (Sharad Pawar) said Shiv Sena is a communal party, what changed in 2019 then?” he questioned.
Speaking about the complexity surrounding government formation after the results of the 2019 Maharashtra state assembly elections, Ajit said Sharad had sent him for the early morning swearing-in ceremony.
“Five meetings had taken place at the residences of prominent businessmen. Senior BJP leaders and NCP leaders were present there. The decision was taken and I was asked to go (for swearing in). Later, everything was backtracked and we went with Shiv Sena,” he revealed.
He also targeted Sharad Pawar over his retirement: “You are now 83, are you going to stop someday or not? Give us blessings, we need it. You are our hero. I told Supriya Sule also to convince Pawar (to retire). But she told me he is stubborn. He won't listen. Till when?”
Ajit Pawar further claimed that the decision of going with the BJP was taken a year ago. “The meeting had taken place. All this had happened before Eknath Shinde went to Guwahati. I have a letter with the signatures of all the lawmakers,” he revealed.
Speaking about his ambitions, he said: “I got all the love from you. I became deputy state chief for five times. It's a record. But I am stuck at this post only. I also wish to lead the state, be the state chief.” He also went on to say that he will take the NCP's name and symbol.
Striking an emotional note at the end of his speech, Ajit Pawar announced that his party will contest 90 seats in the next state assembly elections and added that “I want to tell party workers, I will never let you feel a distance between us. Also with folded hands, I want to tell my seniors, if we are mistaken tell us.”
However, while addressing his supporters at YB Chavan Centre, Sharad Pawar said the NCP was born 24 years ago in Mumbai and worked hard to form the government.
“Many became lawmakers, ministers and we showed that people from a poor background too can run the state. The aim was to work for the people of Maharashtra. We successfully did that with your help,” the NCP chief said.
He further said that the main problem behind all the difficulties is lack of communication. “I have worked in many Union governments. The norm was to hold talks if there are different viewpoints. The picture has changed. Communication is over,” he said.
He likewise reaffirmed his faith in the power of the people as he said that though his party is not in power, it is among the people.
He even targeted the BJP over the induction of Ajit Pawar and eight other lawmakers in the government.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a rally in Bhopal last week and accused the NCP of thousands of crore of corruption. If you really thought that NCP is a corrupt party, then why did you include the NCP in Sunday's swearing in ceremony? It means that these people talk anything without evidence to create people's opinion,” he said.
He even warned that he will not allow anyone to claim the party name and symbols. “If someone is claiming that they will take the symbols, let me be clear that we will not allow it. However, I must tell you that I have fought on many symbols. Until you are in the hearts of people, symbols don't matter. Have you seen posters and banners by people? My photo is the largest. That is because they know that they have nothing else to bank upon,” Pawar said.
He also asked his party workers to work to create a new generation of leaders.