In Pawar vs Pawar, show of strength on cards, shock in Baramati

A day after the Nationalist Congress Party’s split, the two party factions are gearing up for their show of strength. While the side led by party supremo Sharad Pawar has filed a disqualification petition against Ajit Pawar and the eight party leaders who have been sworn in as ministers, the MLAs from the other faction are set to meet at Ajit Pawar’s residence today to chalk out their strategy.

The National Congress Party split – in the second such setback to a Maha Vikas Aghadi constituent since last year – with party supremo Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit Pawar switching to the Eknath Shinde-led government in Maharashtra and taking oath as the second deputy chief minister on Sunday. Among party leaders who took oath along with Ajit Pawar were Sharad Pawar loyalists such as Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil.

While Ajit Pawar claims the support of 40 of the NCP’s 53 MLAs, the party’s state working committee has been asked to come for a meeting in Mumbai on Wednesday under Sharad Pawar’s leadership. All eyes are on Sharad Pawar, who has weathered many political storms and emerged stronger, to sail the party through its most recent crisis as his nephew tries to stake a claim to the NCP name and symbol. 

However, there is no public confirmation of the exact support each side has. Newslaundry spoke to more than 20 office-bearers of the NCP’s state working committee, and most of them said that they will support Sharad Pawar over his nephew.

Jayant Bhandare, state executive member from Pandharpur, said, “Dada (a reference to Ajit Pawar) has not done the right thing...not more than 20 MLAs have gone with dada…there are more than 200 office-bearers in the state working committee and 80 percent of them support Pawar saheb.”

Saleem Rizvi, another state executive member from Malegaon, said, “Pawar saheb was the reason for us to join the NCP and we are going to support him. Maybe MLAs have gone with Ajit dada but the actual foot soldiers of NCP  are going to remain with Pawar sahab. For us, he is the party.”

Kalpana Patil, another state executive member from Nanded, said, “Ajit dada and other senior leaders may have taken the decision for the development of Maharashtra or whatever the reason they believe in, but we are going to stay with Pawar sahab.”

Kamal Faruqui, another state committee member from Aurangabad, said, “We don’t care how many MLAs have gone, all ground workers are going to remain with Pawar sahab…things will be cleared on July 5.”

Sanjay Wadhavkar, a state committee member from Thane, said, “The organisation is going to support Pawar sahab. We are in the party because of him, so there is no chance of giving support to people who went away.”

Jayprakash Dandegaonkar, party vice-president and senior member of the state committee, said Sharad Pawar “is the party for many of us”.

Vidya Chavhan, another senior working committee member and the president of NCP’s women’s wing, said, “Pawar sahab is someone who can resurrect the party again…people who have joined the government are under the pressure of ED…MLAs who have joined the government will soon realise that they cannot win the elections without the blessings of Pawar sahab and will come back.”

Popat Kale, a state executive member, said, “Maharashtra approves and respects the decision of Ajit dada…In fact, this whole thing is approved by Pawar sahab. Leaders such as Chhagan Bhujbhal, Praful Patel, Dilip Walse Patil wouldn’t have dared to join the government without the permission of sahab. Ajit dada joined the government for the development of the state. Without coming into power, it is not possible to work for the well-being of the state.”

In Pawars' family stronghold of Baramati, state committee members expressed shock.

Mahesh Devkate, NCP general secretary and a core committee member, said, “All party workers from Baramati are in shock…for us, the Pawar family is one and it should not get divided…Pawar sahab and Ajit dada are great leaders…we don’t know whose flag we should hold.”