Split in NCP: Sharad Pawar, Sule attend disqualification hearing

Mumbai: In a surprise move, NCP president Sharad Pawar, along with his daughter and MP Supriya Sule, granddaughter Rewati, and grand-nephew Rohit Pawar, attended the disqualification proceedings of NCP legislators of rival factions before assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. The Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar factions have filed a bunch of petitions to press their plea for disqualification over anti-party activities as per provisions of the 10th schedule of the Constitution.While Ajit Pawar has moved for disqualification of nine legislators of Sharad Pawar faction, the latter has prayed for disqualification of 39 legislators who joined hands with Ajit Pawar. Sharad Pawar was present before the Election Commission too, where Ajit Pawar has filed a petition staking claim on the name and symbol of the party. The ECI has reserved its order. Incidentally, Sharad Pawar was present when Ajit Pawar faction state NCP president Sunil Tatkare was cross examined by Sharad Pawar faction lawyers. Significantly, in his affidavit before the speaker, Tatkare had come down heavily on the autocratic style of functioning of his erstwhile mentor Sharad Pawar. In the affidavit, it has been stated that the party was being run and administered by Sharad Pawar dehors the provisions of the party constitution. Further, it was alleged that his claim to the national presidentship was based on an alleged election, which was never conducted. So far, the Ajit Pawar faction has maintained that the party has not split and questioned internal election process. During his cross examination, Tatkare submitted that discontent was brewing in the NCP since 2014, and reached its peak after 2019. It was decided that like minded leaders will meet to decide the course of action on June 30, 2023. The meeting was addressed by Ajit Pawar. It was unanimously decided to support the stand taken by him. “In the June 30 meeting, a decision was taken to name Ajit Pawar head of the party. All legislators and MPs present at the meeting signed separate affidavits for the purpose. Even the decision to file a petition before ECI to stake claim on party name and symbol was taken in the meeting,” said Tatkare.