NCP MLAs play hide-and-seek on uncle or nephew support

MUMBAI: Many Nationalist Congress Party MLAs are hiding during the monsoon session of the Maharashtra state assembly, making it hard to tell if they support Sharad Pawar or Ajit Pawar.

After a major party split, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and his uncle Sharad Pawar believe their camp is the actual NCP. Each group has petitioned the Election Commission of India.

The Ajit Pawar faction claims 40 MLAs, but only 24 were seen with him. 12–16 NCP MLAs sat with the ruling benches in the state assembly, while 12–14 sat with the Opposition. MLAs are hiding.

“These NCP MLAs are entering the House only to sign the attendance, avoiding sitting in the House to remain neutral amid a party crisis. Ajit and Sharad Pawar are unwelcome to MLAs. Thus, it is impossible to determine who has greater numbers,” said a senior Congress MLA who requested anonymity.

A senior Ajit Pawar faction NCP MLA claimed the misunderstanding will persist till he becomes Maharashtra’s Chief Minister. “We got 45 NCP MLAs, but they told us they will come out in the open when Ajit Dada is made chief minister, otherwise they will remain neutral. If Ajit Pawar becomes chief minister, the party will gain power and development funds. He said, “Until then, neutrality benefits them.”

Interestingly, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister Amit Shah late on Tuesday evening in Delhi, suggesting that the top leadership is considering his promotion in state politics and governance. We were promised good news soon. Despite attending the NDA meeting in Delhi, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde did not attend this long, classified meeting. “We can read CM Shinde’s absence in many ways, but let’s see, we are keeping our fingers crossed,” said the NCP leader, demanding anonymity.