'I am the NCP president,' says Sharad Pawar

NEW DELHI: "I am the president of NCP," asserted veteran leader Sharad Pawar on Thursday after a meeting of his party’s working committee here.
The NCP chief was responding to claims made by his nephew Ajit Pawar, who moved over to BJP on Sunday and was sworn in as the new deputy chief minister in the Eknath Shinde-led NDA government in Maharashtra.
Replying to media questions on Ajit Pawar’s comments in Mumbai that Sharad Pawar should move out of active politics and give his blessings as he is already 82 years old, the veteran leader said, “whether my age is 82 or 92… it does not matter… I am effective and I am the president of party.”
The NCP working committee also approved the decision to expel Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and nine others who joined hands with the NDA recently.Ajit Pawar and eight of his colleagues joined the Shinde government on July 2. All the breakaway NCP MLAs were sworn in as ministers in the Shinde cabinet.
Later, Pawar met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who called on the NCP patriarch at his Delhi residence in a show of solidarity amid turmoil within the NCP.
Addressing the media after the party meeting, Sharad Pawar said the “truth will come out” on Ajit Pawar' claim of having majority. He added that he would say whatever else he had to say on the matter to the Election Commission. “All those who betrayed the party will pay a heavy price for it,” Pawar warned.
The party resolution also reiterated that the NCP stands “firmly with the united opposition,” while condemning the “undemocratic and unconstitutional actions of the BJP government and the misuse of government agencies against the opposition.
The resolution also condemnded the “government policies resulting in spiralling inflation, unemployment and the plight of women.” It expressed “deep concern regarding the ongoing communal situation in Manipur” while standing with the people of the northeastern state.
Briefing the media, party leader P C Chacko said eight resolutions were passed at the meeting and that the organisation (NCP) was behind Sharad Pawar.
“NCP Working Committee approves decision to expel Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and nine who joined hands with NDA. Sharad Pawar was elected national president. We don't take seriously claims of someone being national president. Our organisation is still intact and we are with Sharad Pawar,” Chacko said.
Pawar also told the media that he will be going to the people and that the MVA coalition of Cong, NCP and Shiv Sena (Uddhav) will emerge victorious and strong in the coming elections.