In a significant political development before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Ajit Pawar, a prominent leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), took oath as the deputy chief minister in the Maharashtra government led by Eknath Shinde. This unexpected ceremony took place shortly after Ajit Pawar met with party leaders at his official residence in Mumbai.
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Ajit Pawar Joins Eknath Shinde Government
Oath-Taking Ceremony:
Ajit Pawar, along with several NCP colleagues, including Chhagan Bhujbal, was sworn in as deputy chief minister at the Raj Bhavan. This move now positions him as a co-deputy CM alongside Devendra Fadnavis of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Meeting with Party Leaders:
Prior to the oath-taking ceremony, Ajit Pawar held a meeting with some of his party leaders at his official residence, known as 'Devgiri.' Notable attendees at the meeting included Chhagan Bhujbal and Supriya Sule, while Jayant Patil, the state party president, was absent. Some NCP MLAs were also present during the meeting.
Sharad Pawar's Response:
Sharad Pawar, the president of the NCP, expressed unawareness regarding his nephew Ajit Pawar's meeting. However, he mentioned that Ajit, who was previously the leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, has the authority to convene a meeting of legislators.
Ajit Pawar's Support:
Reportedly, out of the 53 NCP MLAs in the state, around 30 are aligned with Ajit Pawar. This indicates a significant level of support within the party for his actions.
महाराष्ट्र के बड़े नेता और एनसीपी प्रमुख शरद पवार के भतीजे अजीत पवार शिवसेना-बीजेपी सरकार में शामिल हो गए हैं. उन्होंने उपमुख्यमंत्री पद की शपथ ली. उनके साथ एनसीपी के कुछ बड़े नेताओं ने भी मंत्री के रूप में शपथ ली है. महाराष्ट्र की राजनीति में हुए इस उलटफेर पर क्या है आपकी राय? pic.twitter.com/QQwhRyH6mL
— BBC News Hindi (@BBCHindi) July 2, 2023
Ajit Pawar's Resignation Announcement:
Earlier, Ajit Pawar had declared his intention to step down as the Leader of the Opposition in Maharashtra and expressed a willingness to take on any party role. He stated this during a party event in Mumbai, emphasizing his willingness to fulfill any responsibility assigned to him within the party organization.
Sanjay Raut's Remarks:
Sanjay Raut, a leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), stated that Sharad Pawar remains undeterred by the split in his party and can start anew. Raut conveyed his conversation with Sharad Pawar, highlighting the latter's determination and the support of the people. Raut also expressed his belief that the people of Maharashtra will not tolerate such political maneuvers for an extended period, referring to the formation of governments through party splits.
Conclusion:
The political landscape in Maharashtra experiences a significant shift as Ajit Pawar joins the Eknath Shinde-led government as the deputy chief minister. The repercussions and future implications of this development will undoubtedly shape the state's political dynamics in the coming years.
