Ajit Pawar dubs himself as NCP's national chief; defends his choice to join Shinde-led govt

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

In the midst of the Election Commission of India's (ECI) ongoing deliberations regarding the divide within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Ajit Pawar, the leader of the rebellious faction, has reaffirmed his position as the national president of the NCP. He also defended his decision to align with the Eknath Shinde-led government, citing instances where prominent politicians in Maharashtra made unconventional political choices, stated a PTI report.

Ajit Pawar assumed the role of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on July 2, marking the day when he and eight other NCP MLAs joined the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition. Today, he commemorates his 100th day in office. According to the report, Pawar, on this occasion, expressed the government's unwavering commitment to fostering economic empowerment across all segments of society. He also emphasized the NCP's dedication to pursuing these goals with great determination.

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In an official statement, Ajit Pawar, self-proclaimed national president of the NCP, outlined the government's priorities, which include employment generation, economic empowerment, education, healthcare, and the successful implementation of various welfare programs. He stated, "NCP is committed to achieving these goals by utilizing the power vested in us. Constructive criticism is a vital part of any politician's journey. I always welcome constructive feedback. I believe in constructive and progressive politics. My guiding principle is to see every initiative through to its logical conclusion and bring about positive change in people's lives."

Pawar reportedly also highlighted the NCP's dedication to the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Shahu Maharaj, Dr BR Ambedkar, and Yashwantao Chavan. Under his leadership, the party intends to uphold these values and legacies. "In the political history of Maharashtra, many eminent leaders have made unconventional political choices, guided by the prevailing political and social dynamics," he added. "On July 2, 2023, NCP, under my leadership, made a similar strategic decision to join the state government," he wrote.

Pawar assured that the NCP would continue to work tirelessly for the welfare of farmers, youth, women, and various segments of society. "We have walked this path for 100 days, and our commitment remains unwavering," he affirmed.

Ajit Pawar vs Sharad Pawar in Election Commission

The Election Commission conducted a hearing on Monday to address the claims made by Ajit Pawar's faction regarding the NCP's name and electoral symbol. Meanwhile, the Sharad Pawar-led group raised concerns about discrepancies in the documents submitted by their rivals.

The Election Commission has scheduled November 9 as the next hearing date for the NCP's competing factions led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, respectively. Ajit Pawar, who had previously staked a claim to the party's name and symbol, asserted that he had the support of 42 out of 53 NCP MLAs in Maharashtra, six out of nine MLCs, all seven MLAs in Nagaland, and one member each in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

This ongoing dispute arose when Ajit Pawar, a few days before his defection from the NCP to join the Maharashtra government in July, approached the Election Commission on June 30, asserting his claim to the party's name and symbol. He also declared himself as the party's president with the backing of 40 lawmakers.

Recently, the Sharad Pawar-led faction informed the Election Commission that there was no internal discord within the party, except for a few individuals who had departed for personal ambitions. This was in reference to the rebel group led by Ajit Pawar.