Meeting Scheduled at 11 am for Ajit Pawar Faction Amid NCP Crisis; Supporters of Sharad Pawar Assemble Outside YB Chavan

Mumbai: In the midst of a power struggle within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), two factions have issued whips for separate meetings to display their respective strengths. The Ajit Pawar faction has summoned MLAs and party leaders for a meeting at Mumbai Education Trust in Bandra at 11 am, while the Sharad Pawar-led camp has called for a meeting at YB Chavan centre at 1 pm.

The conflicting claims about the number of supporting MLAs have intensified the crisis. Ajit Pawar, in a statement to the press on Tuesday, asserted that he enjoys the support of a majority of NCP MLAs. However, Jayant Patil, the Maharashtra NCP president, countered the claim, asserting that all 53 NCP MLAs stand firmly behind party chief Sharad Pawar. The Ajit Pawar group would require the support of at least 36 MLAs, which is two-thirds of the total, to avoid disqualification for breaking the party whip.

In the meantime Eknath Shinde, a highly respected leader from the Shiv Sena has taken the initiative of organizing a meeting with party legislators and leaders. This step is being taken in response to the growing dissatisfaction within the party regarding the inclusion of NCP legislators led by Ajit Pawar in the cabinet. Sources reveal that this crucial gathering will be hosted at Shindes’s esteemed official residence, Varsha Bungalow.

The internal conflicts within the NCP and the meetings scheduled by both factions reflect the deepening crisis and the efforts being made to consolidate support. The outcomes of these meetings could have significant implications for the future course of the party and its alliances within the state of Maharashtra.