India: NCP’s Ajit Pawar joins NDA government, takes oath as deputy chief minister of Maharashtra

In yet another dramatic turn of events in the Indian state of Maharashtra, Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) senior leader Ajit Pawar, on Sunday (July 2), crossed party lines and joined the incumbent Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led state government and was sworn in as the new deputy CM of the state. 

This comes after Pawar, along with dozens of other party leaders joined the state government earlier today, and will now share the post along with incumbent Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. However, after he was sworn in, Ajit Pawar clarified that he had not left NCP and joined the state government as the Nationalist Congress Party.

What happened on Sunday?

Earlier, on Sunday, Ajit Pawar, the leader of the opposition in Maharashtra, called an urgent meeting of the NCP MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly) amid reported rumours of him being unhappy that he was not chosen as the party’s state unit chief. Reportedly, he had also offered to resign as the opposition leader to take up the post. 

It was hours later that it was announced that NCP leader and Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit Pawar will be sworn in as the deputy CM of Maharashtra. At least 30 other MLAs have joined Ajit Pawar out of which around eight ministers – Chaggan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde, Dharmobaba Atram, Aditi Tatkare, Sanjay Bansode, and Anil Patil – were also sworn in. 

This comes as the Indian state has witnessed a fourth oath-taking ceremony in less than three years amid political turmoil. Additionally, this is the 5th time that Ajit Pawar has been sworn in as the deputy CM making him the most number of times that a politician has been appointed for the post since it was first created in 1978. 

‘Triple engine’ government of Maharashtra: Shinde

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena welcomed Pawar with open arms. “Ajit Pawar always followed developmental politics,” said the incumbent Maharashtra CM Shinde. 

He added “Now we have one Chief Minister and two Deputy Chief Ministers…I welcome him in the government and now the double engine government will become triple engine government. For the development of Maharashtra, I welcome Ajit Pawar and his leaders. Ajit Pawar’s experience will help strengthen Maharashtra.”  

Shinde, who had once led a similar move against his party Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray whose faction is now known as Shiv Sena UBT (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), when he left with dozens of ministers and joined hands with BJP. 

‘Joined government as NCP’: Ajit Pawar

Following the oath-taking ceremony, the newly inducted deputy CM Ajit Pawar said “Talks have been ongoing for quite some time, and there will be a cabinet expansion. We need to prioritise the development of Maharashtra. We made the decision to join the Shinde-Fadanvis government with almost all NCP MLAs.” 

He also said the expansion of Maharashtra’s cabinet begins today and more ministers will be inducted soon. “Today, we have decided to support the Maharashtra government and took oath as ministers. There will be a discussion on the portfolios later.” 

Ajit Pawar also said if NCP can join hands with the BJP in Nagaland why can’t they do the same for Maharashtra and its people. “Some MLAs could not be contacted as they are out of country but I spoke to all of them and they agreed with our decision,” said Ajit Pawar. 

The newly appointed deputy CM also went on to praise the Indian PM and said, “The country is progressing under the leadership of PM Modi. He is also popular in other countries. Everyone supports him and appreciates his leadership.” 

He added, “We will fight the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections with them (BJP) and that is why we have taken this decision.” However, Pawar also went on to clarify that “We have joined the government as the Nationalist Congress party and will fight any and every election in the name of the NCP.” 

Similarly, state minister Chhagan Bhujabal said, “We have joined the government as its third party. Few people are saying that we have split the party but that is not correct. We have come here as NCP.” 

He added that there was supposed to be a meeting on July 6 to discuss important issues that were to be discussed and some changes were to be made within the party but some people in the party have decided to take a “different stand”. 

Speaking about Ajit Pawar’s move, the NCP chief said, “This is not a new thing. The party I was leading in 1980 had 58 MLAs, later all left and only 6 MLAs left, but I strengthened the numbers and those who left me lost in their constituencies.” 

He also said that he received calls from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and others but “I am not worried about whatever happened today. Tomorrow, I will take the blessings of YB Chavan (former Maharashtra CM) and will hold a public meeting.” 

He added, “MLAs and all senior leaders will sit together to decide about any action against the rebel leaders.” Pawar also said action will be taken against Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare who “did not follow their responsibilities.” 

(With inputs from agencies) 

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